Board approves revised Ocean Terrace Park pavilion and cafe with conditions; parks maintenance concerns prompt planting change

The Historic Preservation Board approved a revised design for the Ocean Terrace Park pavilion and associated outdoor bar/cafe, a public‑private project to convert a stretch of city property into park space funded by the adjacent private developer’s development agreement.

Staff explained that the pavilion occupies the previously approved footprint but has been redesigned and divided into three distinct pergola/roof elements. Landscape architect Raymond Jungles (presenter Damon Sanchez) described concrete and wood pergola elements, integrated planting palettes, and a central poured‑in‑place concrete canopy with apertures for trees. Staff noted the parks department’s maintenance concerns with an integrated planter feature on top of the poured‑in‑place canopy and recommended removing that rooftop planter from the design; the parks department will own and maintain the park elements.

The applicant’s team and landscape architect said the design was developed to encourage active use and to integrate with the broader Ocean Terrace Park and the beach walk. Board members asked about hours, operations, and who would operate the pavilion; staff and the applicant said operational elements (hours, valet, trash collection, sound mitigation and neighborhood impact) will be handled by the Planning Board’s neighborhood‑impact/conditional‑use review when the applicant seeks the use permit. The applicant and staff also agreed to conditions requiring final coordination with parks maintenance.

The board approved the design with staff conditions (including removal of the integrated rooftop planter feature and final coordination on maintenance) and asked staff to ensure the final plans address ADA, sight‑lines, and operations coordination with the Planning Board review.