HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/5/2022 Item 6a, Cooper
Delgado, Adriana
From:Allan Cooper <allancoope@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, July 1,
To:E-mail Council Website; Horn, Matt; Fukushima, Adam
Subject:Letter To The City Council
Attachments:207_01_22...lettertocouncil.pdf
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Dear Matt & Adam -
Would you kindly forward the letter attached below to the
City Council? This letter pertains to the Council's July 5,
2022 review of Public Hearing Item # 6a "Introduce an
Ordinance to Amend Title 5, Chapter 5.50 (Sidewalk Cafes)
to Add Chapter 5.51 (Parklets), and Approve the Outdoor
Dining Guide". We would also like to include this letter in
the City's Correspondence File as well. Thanks!
- Allan
1
Save Our Downtown
____________________________________________________________
Seeking to protect and promote the historical character, design, livability and economic
success of downtown San Luis Obispo.
To: San Luis Obispo City Council, Matt Horn, Public Works Director, Adam
Fukushima, Active Transportation Manager
Re: July 5, 2022 City Council Meeting Public Hearing Item 6A “Introduce An
Ordinance To Amend Title 5, Chapter 5.50 (Sidewalk Cafes) To Add
Chapter 5.51 (Parklets), And Approve The Outdoor Dining Guide”
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date: July 1, 2022
Honorable Mayor Stewart and Council Members:
We would like to comment on the draft Outdoor Dining Guide primarily as it relates to
pedestrian transportation and walkability in our Downtown Core.
With regards to the development of design guidelines for parklets:
Far too many parklets are makeshift with minimal design. The City should desire to find
a balance between a cohesive street scene while also allowing room for individual
business character.
We applaud the Active Transportation Committee’s effort to establish clearer direction
on the design of parklets. However, there are many options yet to be explored to create
a more cohesive streetscape. For example, the following suggested guidelines
(borrowing from the City of San Clemente) are intended to improve the design and
aesthetics of parklets by reducing visual clutter and creating a standardized street
interface.
1)A 3-foot buffer zone would provide a consistent appearance and set a regular edge
and rhythm. For example, this area could be characterized by traffic rated concrete
planters, which should be set at 5’ intervals. The first planter should be set at the
corner nearest adjacent oncoming traffic, with subsequent planters spaced every 5-
feet.
2)There should be a list of discouraged elements such as:
•Pop-up tents (except in limited circumstances on private property)
•Lattice (wood or plastic)
•Plastic fences, trellises, or furniture. Plastic or vinyl furniture should be prohibited.
•Excessive decoration
•Banner signs
With regards to the recommendation that the city should create independent parklets
owned by the city:
There is mention on Page 8 of the draft “SLO Outdoor Dining Guide” under “Costs” of
“…sidewalk dining permits issued to non-profit and community organizations for
establishment of parklet or sidewalk dining installations that will be used as public/
community space not benefiting a commercial enterprise”. However, why couldn’t we
re-imagine the parking strip as a territory that is variously available for uses ranging from
picnics, parties, market stalls, street vendors and urban greenery. It appears inequitable
for restaurants to be the only ones to have access to parklets while other businesses
do not. Why not provide retailers access to sidewalk space to display their products
outdoors?
Finally, the Parklet Program should specify that there should be no more than six (6)
consecutive spaces used for outdoor dining operations. And perhaps most importantly,
live entertainment, including but not limited to live music and performances, should not
be permitted within the outdoor dining areas. Thank you!