Council adopts framework to keep California Avenue car-free, directs design review and fee approach

PALO ALTO, Calif. — The Palo Alto City Council on June 17 voted to adopt a resolution that preserves outdoor dining and retail activity on the car-free portion of California Avenue and directed staff to develop design standards, consult the Architectural Review Board and study fees and other implementation details.

Council's votes formalized a policy pathway for continuing the temporary pandemic-era activations on California Avenue and asked staff to work with merchants on standards that could allow more durable, weather-protected seating rather than the umbrellas and pop-up tents many merchants and residents said were inadequate.

Assistant City Manager Bruce Fakuji, who led the staff presentation, described California Avenue as —a cherished main street— and framed the staff recommendation as a balance between supporting economic vitality and preserving open pedestrian space. The city's recommended program regulations (Attachment A in the staff packet) include setback rules, boundary elements (planters, low rails), limits tied to utilities and emergency egress and requirements for lighting and electrical hookups.

Fakuji told council the program aims to —allow commercial use of the public right of way in California Avenue to support the community and economic vitality of that area— while preserving pedestrian access and emergency egress.

Public comment included a mix of business and resident voices. Charlie Weidans, CEO of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, thanked staff for outreach but urged flexibility on permanent structures, saying —without reliable and affordable options for customers to dine comfortably in rain, cold, or heat, local businesses' vitality and sustainability are at risk.— Michael Campilongo, owner of Terrone Italico on California Avenue, said his business and others —want to operate 360 days a year— and asked the council to permit structures that enable year-round dining.

Several restaurateurs and merchants argued umbrellas are insufficient in wind and rain and asked the city to permit fixed or semi-permanent parklet structures, roofing and heaters. Others, including community commenters and members of the Architectural Review Board, urged attention to aesthetics and a design review process so parklets complement the street's character.

Key technical points staff presented

- The city's building official noted the California building code exemption that generally does not require sprinklers for nonresidential structures smaller than 350 square feet; larger or enclosed structures could trigger sprinkler or fire-code requirements. - Utilities under the street (gas mains, bus bays and other infrastructure) limit where heavy, permanent platforms or anchors can be placed; staff said some solutions include locating larger structures where underground utilities are absent or negotiating temporary removals for utility work. - Staff estimated the 2016 street cross-section created narrow and wide sidewalks in alternating blocks, which affects where parklets and platforms can be sited.

Council action and direction

Council members voted 6'0'1 (one member absent) to approve the resolutions allowing continued outdoor dining and retail encroachments and to proceed with the program regulations with modifications and additional direction:

- Direct staff to pursue standards and approval pathways that accommodate longer-term, weather-protected parklet structures and to bring design guidance to the Architectural Review Board for recommendations on preapproved and custom options. - Direct staff to explore alternatives to planters for delineation, to keep boundaries visually open, and to avoid —walled-off— parklets while preserving safety and emergency access. - Continue to support low-volume live or amplified music consistent with existing Cal Ave practices and to clarify entertainment/open-container rules; retail committee members recommended exploring an —entertainment zone— broader than the staff'proposed third Thursday open-container pilot. - Instruct staff to study signage, lighting, electrical access and fees; the council indicated preference for a fee approach comparable to the downtown parklet fee schedule (the packet cites a downtown rate of about $10.71 per square foot as a reference point) and requested staff return with a refined fee schedule and cost estimates for public-restroom and enforcement/maintenance needs.

Council members also asked staff to accelerate tangible improvements already on council's workplan: replacing temporary orange barriers with removable bollards and installing wayfinding signage for the closed street.

What staff must return with next

- Design guidance and recommended standards (including preapproved designs and a pathway for custom designs) for parklets that can accommodate year-round weather protection while preserving pedestrian sightlines. - A fee schedule recommendation (application and annual license/rental fees) and cost estimate for maintenance, enforcement and optional public restrooms; council asked staff to consider fees comparable to downtown parklet charges as a baseline. - Options for bicycle access and traffic-calming measures that protect pedestrians while allowing Cal Ave to serve local bike trips. Staff also was asked to bring back a plan for signage, and the police and transportation teams will look at ways to calm bicycle speeds.

Why this matters

California Avenue is a high-foot-traffic commercial corridor; the council's decision removes legal uncertainty about outdoor dining in the short term and charges staff to create a clearer, more durable framework that supports business investment while addressing safety, utility and maintenance obligations. Merchants told the council that permanent or semi-permanent structures are essential to sustaining the street through rain and wind; other residents and design reviewers urged careful oversight so installations integrate with the avenue's character.

Provenance: staff presentation began with Bruce Fakuji and concluded with council vote and direction to staff; public comment included a dozen speakers representing merchants, the Chamber of Commerce, restaurant owners and design-review participants.

Authorities referenced

- Palo Alto Municipal Code (program implemented under municipal code authority; specific chapter referenced in agenda materials was Chapter 12.11 regarding car-free California Avenue) - California building code requirements for sprinklers and occupancy thresholds (350 square foot threshold referenced by building official)

Speakers (excerpt)

Bruce Fakuji, Assistant City Manager (staff presentation) George Hoyt, Chief Building Official (permitting and code) Charlie Weidans, CEO, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce (public comment) Michael Campilongo, owner, Terrone Italico (public comment) Peter Balte and Osma Thompson, members of Architectural Review Board (public comment) Various council members: Council member Rechtel, Council member Lythcott Haines, Council member Burt, Council member Liu, Vice Mayor Venker, Mayor Loughing

Clarifying details

- Fire-sprinkler threshold noted by building official: structures larger than 350 sq ft or certain enclosed occupancies may require sprinklers; less than 350 sq ft generally may not. - Staff cited utility constraints (gas mains, bus bays) that restrict where permanent platforms can be built; project-specific mitigation may be required for anchoring and for temporary utility access. - Staff and retail committee asked for further analysis on fees and on the cost of maintenance, enforcement and public restrooms; staff will return with estimates.

Implementation risk and timeline

- Staff estimated it will take months of design review, ARB input and utility coordination to develop preapproved designs and to implement larger installations; council directed staff to prioritize this work so interested merchants can plan investments. - Council asked staff to return with fee recommendations and implementation details as part of the near-term work plan.

Searchable_tags:["California Avenue","parklets","outdoor dining","public realm","parklet fees","Architectural Review Board","bikes"]

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