AgdaPkt 2020-06-22 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.G. - Page 2 of 31 (1) Allowing temporary street closures in the downtown central business district to accommodate outdoor restaurant dining (2) Allowing the use of the City public right-of-way, such as adjacent sidewalks and street parking, for restaurant outdoor dining in the Downtown (3) Allowing retail centers and businesses (citywide) to use portions of their private parking lots for outdoor dining, carhop dining and take-out meals Staff explored options to partially close streets in the Downtown three days a week on a rotating basis. The pros and cons of these options as well as issues regarding safety of patrons, costs incurred by the different closure options, hours for dining, access to parking for Downtown residents, noise, etc. The City Council directed staff to present a complete program for expanded outdoor dining on public and private property at the June 22 Council meeting. Based on Council feedback, over the last week and a half, staff has been working expeditiously to stand up a citywide outdoor dining program for restaurants. The County's revised SIP order that allowed outdoor dining on June 6 created greater urgency for cities to develop a program that could be implemented immediately. Several cities have taken immediate action to allow use of public and private property. The original timeline for the City's program identified July 11 as the launch date of the downtown street closure dining program. However, a Proclamation issued by the City Manager as the Director of Emergency Services on June 15 (see exhibit to Attachment A) enabled staff to expedite an outdoor dining program. The Proclamation allows for alterations to normal City permitting requirements to allow businesses to conduct outdoor dining activity in a timely and safe manner, so as to provide a safe environment for customers. It also allows restaurants to immediately apply for a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit (COVID-19) (Attachment C) which allows restaurants to use public and private property for outdoor dining. Additionally, City staff has further refined the Downtown outdoor dining map identifying potential street closures and sidewalk areas to facilitate outdoor dining (see exhibit to Attachment B) based on feedback from the City Council feedback, a walkthrough of streets with the DBG and RCIA, and communications with the Downtown Neighborhood Association. The temporary street closures must be authorized by the Council (Attachment B — Resolution). Staff also has updated costs for three day and seven day street closures. At the time of the writing of this report, staff is aware San Mateo County is asking the state for a variance, which would potentially allow indoor dining with restrictions. Staff still believes that even with the opening of indoor dining, due to the occupancy restrictions, restaurants will need outdoor dining areas to financially survive. Additionally, some patrons may feel more comfortable dining outdoors than indoors at this time. ANALYSIS Redwood City's temporary outdoor dining program has two start dates: As of June 15, restaurants can obtain a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit (COVID-19) to use designated public sidewalk areas and private retail and business parking lots for outdoor dining. Additionally, in anticipation of the City Council's potential adoption of downtown street closures starting on June 26, downtown restaurants were encouraged to apply for a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit (COVID-19), so that they can participate Page 2 of 6 1 S11 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 158