Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Active Streets For Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee extends Active Streets for Business for winter and discusses codifying the program in ordinance
Summary
The committee approved extending the Active Streets for Business program for winter, discussed differences with parklets and sidewalk cafes, and heard that city staff aim to pursue an ordinance in 2026 to codify the program.
The Public Works Committee voted to extend the Active Streets for Business program for the winter season and discussed plans to codify the temporary pandemic-era program into city ordinance in 2026.
James Washington, Public Works coordination manager, explained the program, which began during the 2020 pandemic to allow street space for outdoor dining and business activity distinct from sidewalk cafes and separate from parklets. He said the program had been extended seasonally since 2020 and that the current extension would be the last temporary extension before staff pursue an ordinance to formalize the program in 2026.
A committee member seeking to sponsor an ordinance said they wanted to work collaboratively with neighborhoods on parklets and street-closure policies, expressing concern that parklets can feel like a sense of entitlement without neighborhood buy-in. Washington clarified that parklets are a separate program and said staff would be happy to discuss an ordinance sponsor and work with council members on language.
The committee approved the extension without objection and asked staff to pursue outreach and potential ordinance sponsorship for 2026.
