HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2412-3858CITY OF PALO ALTO
Retail Committee
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
9:00 AM
Agenda Item
1.Recommendations to Council and Staff Following the Committee’s November Study
Session Addressing Retail Vacancies in the University Avenue Downtown, Including: (1)
Enhanced Cleanliness Efforts; (2) Revisions to the Parklet Program; and (3) Increasing
Temporary Uses Late Packet Report, Staff Presentation
Retail Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: December 18, 2024
Report #:2412-3858
TITLE
Recommendations to Council and Staff Following the Committee’s November Study Session
Addressing Retail Vacancies in the University Avenue Downtown, Including: (1) Enhanced
Cleanliness Efforts; (2) Revisions to the Parklet Program; and (3) Increasing Temporary Uses
This report will be a late packet report published on December 12, 2024.
December 18, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org/business
Steve Guagliardo,
Assistant to the City Manager
RecommendationsFollowing the November Study Session
Retail Committee
1
RECOMMENDATION
Based on feedback from the Council and stakeholders during the
November Study Session, staff recommends the Ad Hoc Retail
Committee provide feedback on:
a) efforts to enhance cleanliness in the downtowns
b) potential revisions to the ongoing parklet program
c) potential opportunities to better facilitate temporary uses
2
Enhanced Cleanliness Efforts
▪Total base amount spent on cleaning services is
approximately $94,000/mo
▪$56,000 for contractors
▪$38,000 for in-house staff
▪Marginal Costs of enhanced services is $28,500/mo
▪$25,000 to provide enhanced litter removal,
biohazard debris clean-up, and surface cleaning
of trash cans, news racks, and furniture
▪$1,000 for additional blowing
▪$2,500 for the contractor to provide an
additional pressure washing of University
Avenue
3
Potential Revisions to Ongoing Parklet Program
If revisions are pursued, certain key dimensions of the future policy discussion could include:
▪Should parklet extension in front of adjacent frontages be more limited, such only with
adjacent owners’ consent?
▪If so, should existing parklets be allowed to remain until permit renewal, or other date?
▪How should this affect the development of outdoor dining guidelines for the car-free
street portions of Ramona Street and Cal. Ave?
4
Potential Opportunities to Better Facilitate Short-Term Activations
Establishing regulations that better facilitate short-term activation
requires consideration of several components including:
▪Duration
▪Application Requirements and Fee Level
▪Building and Safety Codes
▪Signs and Aesthetics
Steve Guagliardo
Assistant to the City Manager
Steve.Guagliardo@CityofPaloAlto.org
650-329-2261