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Staff lays out Car Free California Avenue parklet and bike plans; debate centers on parklet design and bike lanes
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Summary
City staff presented an activation plan for the permanently car-free portion of California Avenue, proposing preapproved parklet designs, setbacks to protect gas mains, a 350-sq-ft parklet cap and a central access way for slow bicycle movement. Councilors debated whether to designate a marked bike lane or prioritize a pedestrian boulevard.
City staff presented a progress report on an activation plan for the car-free portion of California Avenue, outlining a preapproved parklet program, setback requirements driven by an under-street gas main and options for integrating bikes in the newly configured pedestrian environment.
Bruce Fakuji (speaker 8), introduced as the project manager/assistant to the city manager, said the work with an ARB ad hoc committee and merchant engagement has led to two preapproved parklet typologies (pergola and cabana) and standards for year-round dining. Staff said most existing restaurants would qualify for preapproved parklets and that parklets would be capped at 350 square feet each (maximum two per business in examples discussed) to avoid triggering fire-sprinkler requirements.
On utilities and safety, staff highlighted a gas main along the south side of Cal Avenue that constrains permanent structures and informed recommended setbacks (including a two-foot setback from mains and spacing from laterals and storm drains). Staff proposed cantilevered roofs and transparent wind protection as ways to provide year-round comfort without building over mains.
Parklet and design trade-offs prompted questions from council members. Greer (speaker 11) said she favors stronger pedestrian emphasis and worried that a wide, marked bike lane could turn Cal Avenue into a “bike boulevard” rather than a pedestrian promenade; she argued the city should consider directing faster bike traffic to parallel streets. Bruce (speaker 8) and staff noted that Cal Avenue is a through route to Caltrain and Stanford Research Park, and that designated bike space can reduce speed conflicts if carefully designed.
Council members also asked about timing and funding. Staff said final design review will go to the ARB, then back to the Economic Development Committee in May, with City Council consideration anticipated in June; implementation timing depends on coordinating striping, encroachment permit cycles and potential CIP funding if a full street rebuild is pursued.
Public commenters raised operational concerns. Michael Ekwall (speaker 16) of La Bodeguita encouraged more urgency and better wayfinding to make the closed street evident to drivers approaching from El Camino Real; Elizabeth Wong (speaker 12) repeated a property-owner concern about encroachments and requested that adjacent owners’ approvals be verified.
Staff recommended further outreach to Ramona merchants about including Ramona’s closed section in a later phase, and said the pilot on the car-free portion of Cal Avenue will allow the city to test parklet and bike configurations before committing to larger street-level capital projects.
