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Lakewood Parklet Guidelines Intent • Parklets can be approved under Resolution 2020-31 and therefore the parklets are only permitted for the period of the state of emergency or until October 31, 2020, whichever comes first. • This is an emergency measure that will create more outdoor dining space to allow for a greater distance between diners. This will allow restaurants to make up for the tables that they had to remove from inside their establishments to comply with social distancing requirements. • The temporary parklets are for private business use. Council anticipates that this program will inform the city in the future creation of a parklet program that will include both public and private parklets. • Because this is an emergency measure, aesthetics should take a back seat to practicability, expediency, and safety. • It the business's responsibility to determine if they are permitted to serve alcohol in the parklet or can cross a public right of way to serve alcohol. Any uncertainty in a business's ability to do that should not be a reason to deny a parklet. • It is the business's responsibility to determine in the financial benefits or detriments to creating a parklets. The City should not substitute its own judgment for that of the business. • The increased dining space and related income/sales taxes received would more than make up for any loss of revenue from parking meters. Council is of the opinion that the purpose of parking meters is to encourage the turnover of available spaces and not as a revenue generator. • It is understood that not all businesses will be able to have a parklet due to where they are located. The reality that not all businesses will be able to have a parklet should not prevent the City from permitting parklets. • The application process and required Planning Commission approval allows for businesses and residents to voice any concern they have for parklets. • Parklets will increase the vibrancy of the city and increase foot traffic to retail businesses that are near parklets. The increase in foot traffic will make up for a loss of a parking space. For instance, in Chicago, 80% of businesses that added a parklet saw an increase in foot traffic, as well as an increase in spending. • Retail establishments and merchants should have the ability to create a parklet to display their products and merchandise outdoors so that sidewalks remain ADA accessible and allow for proper social distancing of pedestrians. 1. Allowable seating or merchandise area in a curb lane is approximately 6 feet wide depending on the existing roadway lane width, barrier width and a 1 foot shy away if necessary. The parklet may be located in up to three adjoining on-street parking spaces or the sidewalk equivalent.