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Business owners and residents urge Palo Alto to keep Cal Ave parklets and tents, warn against switching to umbrellas
Summary
Multiple California Avenue business owners, patrons and event organizers told the City Council on June 9 they oppose a proposed shift from tents and parklets to umbrellas and awnings for outdoor dining and activations.
Multiple California Avenue business owners, patrons and event organizers told the City Council during the public comment period on June 9 that they oppose a proposed shift from tents and parklets to umbrellas and awnings for outdoor dining and activations.
Jason C., a nearby resident and frequent patron, said the larger parklet structures provide durable shelter, support year-round outdoor dining and protect children and diners from wind and sun. "Umbrellas are vulnerable to wind, to weather," he said. "They're not comfortable and they interrupt the continuation of lively outdoor spaces."
John King, president of the Barron Park Association, urged the council to continue supporting Third Thursday and other street activations that he said have transformed California Avenue into a walkable cultural hub. "With your backing, we can grow Thursday into a signature Palo Alto experience," King said.
Several business owners said they had already invested thousands of dollars in outdoor fixtures and that frequent rule changes undermine their planning and finances. One speaker told the council his favorite restaurant spent $8,000 on a structure and $2,500 to permit propane storage, and said repeatedly changing rules could force businesses to reduce outdoor seating.
Brandon Clark, another frequent Cal Ave patron, said the larger parklets provide clear boundaries for dining and improve pedestrian safety. Carol Garson, founder and producer of the Third Thursday California Avenue Music Festival, described calendar events including a Local Libations wine walk set for June 19 and said the monthly festival draws families and youth programming.
Sergio Jimenez, the new Pacific Gas and Electric representative for the area, introduced himself to the council but did not take a position on the activation rules. Several speakers asked the council to further engage businesses and residents before finalizing design guidelines.
Council members noted the California Avenue outdoor activation guidelines had been rescheduled to a June 17 special meeting to allow further deliberation. No council action was taken on June 9; public comment was limited to three minutes per speaker.
