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Committee backs Al Fresco 2.0; public urges parklets and lower costs
Summary
The committee unanimously approved Al Fresco 2.0, an outdoor-dining program; public commenter Jordan Muldaur urged parklets and fewer costly safety requirements, while Vice Mayor Foley supported approval but said the policy should extend opportunities beyond downtown.
The Rules and Open Government Committee approved Al Fresco 2.0, its updated outdoor-dining program, on April 1, voting 4–0 to advance the item to the City Council agenda.
Public commenter Jordan Muldaur, identifying themself as "district three," spoke in strong support of the program and urged the committee to include parklets in the policy scope. Muldaur said that in San Francisco they observed parklets protected by reflective poles rather than heavy cinder blocks and asked the committee to consider removing expensive requirements that pose barriers for small businesses. "It would be great to see more of that in San Jose," Muldaur said, adding a question about whether other cities allow parklets "by right."
Vice Mayor Foley said she was "happy to see this going forward" but voiced concern that the proposal as written may limit parklets and outdoor-dining opportunities to downtown, urban villages, and business improvement districts. Foley said she hopes the final policy will ensure small businesses in other parts of the city have the same opportunity to expand outdoors. Foley moved approval of the item; the motion carried 4–0.
The committee also discussed costs and safety protections for parklets, and members signaled interest in a memo examining how other cities handle parklets and whether requirements could be streamlined. The item will proceed to the full City Council for further consideration.
