Staff Report
PREPARED BY: Monica Renn
Economic Vitality Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, Community
Development Director, and Parks and Public Works Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/07/19
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: JANUARY 31, 2019
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN EXTENSION OF THE DOWNTOWN PARKLET PILOT PROGRAM
TO INCLUDE ALL SIDE STREETS IN THE C-2 ZONE (DOWNTOWN) WHERE
ON-STREET PARKING CURRENTLY EXISTS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an extension of the Downtown Parklet Pilot Program to include all side streets in the
C-2 zone (Downtown) where on-street parking currently exists.
BACKGROUND:
At its February 5, 2019 meeting, the Town Council unanimously voted to approve a pilot parklet
program for Downtown. Staff recommended the pilot on Main Street and gave an alternative
option for the Council to extend it into more of the downtown. The Town Council voted to
extend it, noting N. Santa Cruz Avenue in the motion as follows:
MOTION: Motion by Council Member Sayoc to approve a dow ntown parklet pilot
program as recommended by the Council Policy Committee (Attachment 1) with the
following modifications: 1) allow parklets on N. Santa Cruz Avenue without a maximum
limit; 2) staff to look at a structure that allows 100% occupation by the business during
hours of operation and public use during non-business hours; and 3) staff to look at the
technical requirements during the pilot and modify as appropriate. Seconded by Vice
Mayor Jensen.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: APPROVE AN EXTENSION OF THE DOWNTOWN PARKLET PILOT PROGRAM TO
INCLUDE ALL SIDE STREETS IN THE C-2 ZONE (DOWNTOWN) WHERE ON-
STREET PARKING CURRENTLY EXISTS.
DATE: April 29, 2019
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2019\05-07-19\Parklets\Staff Report.docx 5/2/2019 3:32 PM
DISCUSSION:
Since the Council’s action and the development of the parklet permit process, several
commercial property owners and downtown businesses have shown interest in creating a
parklet within existing street parking adjacent to their buildings/businesses , including some on
the side streets of downtown. Adding parklets on the side streets may be a great way to
activate more areas in downtown and add outdoor seating where there otherwise may not be
space to accommodate it.
While the Council voted for the staff to remain flexible with the technical specifications, the
motion specifically noted that the pilot program should expand beyond Main Street to include
N. Santa Cruz Avenue. Thus, staff is requesting support of extending the pilot program to
include the side streets within the C-2 zone, in locations adjacent to a commercial business with
existing on-street parking.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council approve the expansion of the pilot parklet program to the
side streets in the C-2 zone where on street parking currently exists to continue to support
downtown businesses and community vitality, and to expand opportunities to provide
activation and placemaking in downtown Los Gatos.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact from this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.