Business owners and community members are invited to provide input on the City of San Luis Obispo’s draft Outdoor Dining Guide, a manual that outlines the goals, operating policies, design standards, and permitting process for outdoor dining installations like parklets.
To provide input, community members can create an account or log in to their existing account on Open City Hall, the City’s online civic engagement forum. Community members may also provide comments at upcoming public meetings (listed below).
Through May 29, 2022 on Open City Hall, community members can read what others are saying about the guide, then post their own statement. City officials will read the statements and incorporate them into the decision-making process. (Please note: When you post your first statement, you will be asked for your name and home address. This confidential information is only used to confirm that statements are from residents in and near San Luis Obispo.)
Parklets have been a prominent feature of the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance for a permanent parklet program, based on lessons learned and public feedback received from the temporary pilot program called Open SLO. The guide proposes establishing an annual fee to recover costs associated with managing a permanent, ongoing program.
Following City Council approval of the ordinance, current parklet operators will need to apply for a permit under the new requirements to continue parklet operation. The draft Outdoor Dining Guide provides information on eligibility, the application process, as well as design and operational requirements for parklets. It also provides information on how to apply for permits for sidewalk cafes and “tables and chairs”, which are already existing programs. New parklet applicants will be able to apply for a permit under the same process.
Once the permanent parking program and Outdoor Dining Guide are adopted, there will be grace period before new permits are required for parklet operation.
Other Opportunities to Provide Input
Public Workshop
City staff will hold a public workshop on the permanent program including
- The proposed changes in the permanent program
- How current parklet operators can apply for the new permit
When: Thursday, May 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: City/County Library Community Room (995 Palm Street)
Active Transportation Committee
City staff will also present the public draft to the Active Transportation Committee for comment according to the Committee’s purview of bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
When: Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: City Hall, Council Hearing Room (990 Palm Street)
City Council Hearings
Following public input on the Draft SLO Outdoor Dining Guide, staff will review public feedback for consideration into an ordinance by the City Council
Ordinance (First Reading)
When: Thursday, July 5 Time: TBA
Where: Council Chamber (990 Palm Street)
Ordinance (Second Reading)
When: Thursday, July 19 Time: TBA
Where: Council Chamber (990 Palm Street)