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3. Parklet and Street Seats Follow-up DiscussionPlanning & Economic Development MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers Mike Mornson, City Manager FROM: Meg Beekman, Community Development Coordinator DATE: March 10, 2015 SUBJECT: Parklet and Street Seats Follow-up Discussion Background In September 2014 the City installed a parklet on 81' Avenue just north of Mainstreet. The parklet was up for five days and was part of a national Park(ing) Day celebration where communities across the country convert on -street parking stalls into public parks. The goal of the City's parklet project was to activate the street, support local businesses, and create attention for the future Artery reconstruction of 81' Avenue which will convert the street into a much more pedestrian focused environment. By all account, the parklet was a great success. Local businesses took ownership over it; keeping it picked up and clean; people used it throughout the day and evening to eat lunch, play games, or just hang out; and it received positive press in both the local Sun Sailor and Star Tribune newspapers. Since September two businesses have approached the City interested in creating their own parklets that could be in place for much longer periods of time. In addition, other businesses have expressed an interest in having the City put a parklet in front of their store fronts should the project be repeated. In light of the interest in the City's parklet, and growing recognition over the lack of outdoor gathering space specifically for restaurants on Mainstreet, staff has begun work on two distinct but related programs; a semi-permanent city -owned parklet, and a street seats program that would allow Mainstreet businesses to encroach into the right of way to create sidewalk cafe seating. City -Owned Parklet The Rotary has expressed an interest in a partnership to design and construct a long lasting parklet structure for the City. The City would own, maintain, and store the structure when not in use. It could be brought out and placed in front of businesses willing to host the parklet, meaning they would keep an eye on it, sweep it off, etc. The parklet could be moved on occasion, but might be in place for several weeks at a time. The structure would remain open to the public, have hours of operation and function similarly to the mini-parklet that the City installed this past fall in front of LTD Brewing. A parklet policy that would determine where the parklet could be located and how it would be used is in the process of being drafted. This will be brought to the City Council for review in the coming months. The City is especially interested in the possibility to bring attention to Mainstreet businesses during the Mainstreet reconstruction period. The parklet could be a tool to accomplish some positive press for Downtown Hopkins during this time. The Rotary and City are still working out the details of how the parklet would be constructed and paid for. Street Seats Program Staff has begun work on outlining a program that would allow restaurants and brew pubs in the downtown area to encroach into the City right of way in front of their store front for additional outdoor seating space. The working title for the project is the Street Seats program. The City has been approached by two businesses interested in pursuing this program, and has had conversations with a few others who are potentially interested. Both Minneapolis and Edina have programs that allow right of way encroachment for businesses to have outdoor seating on sidewalk areas. Wayzata has a nearly identical program to the one Hopkins is considering that allows a business to take up on -street parking space in front of their business to essentially bump the curb line out, allowing for additional outdoor seating. The City of Portland has a similar program. The outcome is a structure that looks a lot like a parklet, but is privately owned and maintained by the adjacent business and functions like a private outdoor patio. Example photos are attached to this packet. The goals of the program would be to support local businesses, encourage human interaction, encourage street activity, and continue the City's art culture. Staff has met internally to discuss what the process would be to allow a business to construct a Street Seats area and to draft a set of rules that would govern the design, location, and use of the space. Staff has also talked with several business owners and received feedback on the draft regulations. The City Attorney has reviewed the draft regulations and provided comment, including recommending that if the Council chooses to proceed with the Street Seats program that it be regulated through a licensing agreement between the City and the business, rather than within the City Code. The current thinking is that Street Seats would be allowed for restaurants and brewpubs that are located between 81' Avenue and 111' Avenue which front Mainstreet or front a right-of-way that is within a �/z block of Mainstreet. This includes six businesses; Wild Boar, Mainstreet, LTD, Pub 819, Hoagies, and Samba. Restaurants between 11th and 12th Avenues and 7th Avenue and 8th Avenues were excluded because they already have space on the sidewalk in front of their business for outdoor seating, so would not need to utilize the program. It should be noted that the City does not currently regulate the design, use, or management of outdoor seating areas for businesses that currently have them. Attached is an aerial of Mainstreet indicating the locations of businesses that might be affected by this program. Attached to this memo are several images of what a Street Seats area might look like and the draft regulations, which would become conditions of the approval of a licensing agreement. Staff is seeking comment on the draft regulations and direction on how the Council would like to proceed. The regulations include an outline of the process through which a business owner could get a licensing agreement to construct a Street Seats area, and a set of rules that would govern the design, location, and management of such an area once constructed. Both LTD Brewing and Pub 819 have indicated that they would be interested in participating in the program and constructing a street seats area as early as this spring if the city would allow it. Next Steps If the Council would like to proceed with the program, the next step would be to draft a License Agreement, which would then need to be approved by the City Council. The License Agreement would outline the regulations associated with the Street Seats area. Staff will also continue to reach out to impacted businesses to let them know the program is available. Council Action Requested Please review the draft Street Seats regulations and provide comment and direction to Staff regarding the program. �f ! %I LAJ 'IT .swxieuyd ' mew d do!" Google Maps Page 1 of 1 Imagery ©2015 Google, Map data ©2015 Google 200 It https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9244576,-93.4102822,483m/data=!3ml! le3 3/3/2015 ... .. airy I 'I 1 � • i I L F 7, �• t i r 1, J ig e a � I I o- b 1 _ + �F d- PW ' � - IiiiiiiiiiiiiiF r �.46y 3, Amish DRAFT — City of Hopkins Street Seats Regulatory Framework Purpose & Goals Outdoor cafe seating for businesses provides multiple benefits to the city. The Goals of the Street Seats program are to: • Support Local Business — Outdoor seating attracts the attention of pedestrians and increases their stay. Not only does outdoor seating promote the adjacent business, but increases other businesses' visibility when customers choose to be seated outside. • Continue City's Art Culture — It fosters a creative and innovative spirit that furthers the identity of the area as an Art destination and city. • Encourage Human Interaction — The aesthetically pleasing and nontraditional setting provides an additional option where pedestrians can relax, enjoy, and interact with their fellow community members. • Create Public Space on Mainstreet — By repurposing city on -street parking spaces into outdoor seating, it addresses the need for additional public space. It promotes and reinvents new views on the urban landscape. • Encourage walking — Outdoor seating encourages more pedestrian activity by livening up the street, creating more things to look at, and making the businesses appear more active. Review Process 1. Business submits application for License Agreement a. Application Includes i. Hours of operation ii. Installation and Removal date iii. Site Plan 1. Layout/Location 2. Lighting plan 3. Landscaping plan iv. Proof of Insurance - The property owner, restaurant operator, and the City shall enter into a hold harmless agreement, as provided by the City, exempting the City from all liability claims associated with the use of the Street Seats area. 2. Application is submitted to PED and reviewed by: a. City Clerk— to amend Liquor License b. Public Works —to issue ROW Encroachment Permit c. Police Department 3. Applicant notifies neighboring property owners 4. License Agreement is administratively approved and signed 5. Inspections and final approval by Public Works Application Fee • TBD Public Outreach 1. Applicant must notify businesses immediately adjacent to the proposed street seats area. Notification must include a layout and duration for the outdoor seating. 2. Additional outreach to Business associations and/or neighborhood associations may also be required. Site Specifications • Street Seats are limited to restaurants and brewpubs between 11th avenue and Stn Avenue. Business must either front Mainstreet or front a right of way located within block from Mainstreet • Street Seats area shall be limited to the public right of way abutting the frontage of the business to which it is attached • Street Seats structure may not block access to a bus stop • Street Seats structure must be located at least 20 feet from any fire hydrants • Street Seats structure must not block site lines at intersection as determined by the City Engineer • Wheel stops are required both in front and back of the structure • Reflective bollards must be located parallel with wheel stops, approximately 3 feet from the Street Seats structure Design Specifications: • Width may not exceed 8 feet • Length may not exceed 34 feet or the width of the frontage of the business, whichever is less. • A decorative barrier or railing at least 36 inches in height and no more than 42 inches in height is required along each of the ends and along the street side of the platform • Annual/perennial flowers shall be used to enhance the streetscape aesthetics • Canopies/umbrellas shall be used for sun protection • Surface must be leveled with sidewalk surface (up to 1/4 clearance) • No more than a % inch gap between structure and curb is permitted • Structure may not impede water flow and drainage • Must meet ADA (American Disability Act) requirements • Design consideration must include architect and characteristic of area • A minimum clear passage zone for pedestrians on the sidewalk side of the Street Seats area shall be at least six feet • Overstory canopy of trees or umbrellas extending into the pedestrian clear passage zone or pedestrian aisle shall have a minimum clearance of seven feet above the sidewalk • No signs may be placed on the Street Seats structure Management Specifications: • Hours of operation shall be limited to between 10:00 am and 11:00 pm • Property owner shall pick up litter within 100 feet of the Street Seats area on a daily basis • Street Seats structure must be free of debris and soil surrounding and underneath platform • No electronically amplified outdoor music, intercom, audio speakers, or other such noise generating devices shall be allowed in the Street Seats area. • Street Seats structure and furniture shall be moveable and allow for access to utilities within the right-of-way for emergencies and routine maintenance.