Council okays negotiation process for downtown parklets, extends compliance deadline to September

The City Council on May 12 approved a staff-directed approach to implement revisions to the downtown parklet ordinance, directing city staff to meet individually with parklet lessors and neighboring property owners to negotiate site-specific accommodations before enforcing changes.

Business owners and the Chamber of Commerce urged clear implementation rules, construction-hour limits and staged timelines to reduce disruption and preserve visibility and parking. Residents flagged potential ADA issues where parklet structures overlap loading zones. Staff and council agreed to a case-by-case negotiation process: within 60 days city staff will meet with lessors and neighboring property/building owners to seek agreements that balance business visibility, pedestrian access and parking needs. Council confirmed a previously agreed extension: non-conforming parklet modifications will be allowed until September 30 to permit orderly compliance and minimize disruption.

Councilmember comments emphasized preserving small-business visibility and minimizing lost parking while protecting accessibility; Councilmember Cabral and the mayor stressed that building owners should be engaged in any accommodation discussions so that tenant turnover cannot bind future property owners. The motion passed unanimously. Staff said planning commission review and ratification would occur for negotiated outcomes that differ from the ordinance and that staff would provide owners with construction guidance.