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CC - (1) Consideration and Approval of Temporary Lane Closure to Accommodate Outdoor Dining in the Arts District; (2) Discussion of City-Sponsored Temporary Parklets in Curb-Side Parking Areas to Support Restaurants’ Recovery in the City; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: August 24, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Heba El Guindy/Public Works Department
Elaine Warner/Community Development Department
Phone Number: (310) 253 - 5628
(310) 253 - 5777
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/19/20)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, PW Director/City Engineer (08/17/20)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider and, if desired, approve a temporary lane closure to accommodate outdoor dining in the Arts District; (2) discuss City-sponsored temporary parklets in curb-side parking areas to support restaurants’ recovery in the City; and (3) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Due to potential circulation and access impacts, the Public Works Department processes lane closures through the City Council for consideration and approval.
Lane Closure Established in Downtown Culver City
On June 9, 2020, the City Council considered a conceptual plan for temporary lane closures in Downtown Culver City to allow for businesses to expand outdoors to mitigate COVID-19 impacts and spur economic recovery. The concept plan consisted of temporary lane closures on westbound Culver Boulevard between Duquesne Avenue and Canfield Avenue, as well as Main Street between Culver Boulevard and the City limit south of Venice Boulevard. The plan was prepared in coordination with the Downtown Business Association and City Departments including the Transportation, Fire, and Police Departments. A 12-foot westbound travel lane was retained on Culver Boulevard to serve buses, emergency vehicles, bicycles and scooters. A 20-foot fire lane was also maintained on Main Street.
On June 22nd, 2020, Council approved a budget amendment in the amount of $382,033 from the General Fund reserve balance to allow purchase of equipment for the temporary closures in Downtown Culver City. The plan has since been implemented and the resulting space is currently being used for outdoor dining by the abutting restaurants along the north side of Culver Boulevard and both sides of Main Street.
Although the water barricades along the fire lane on Main Street were kept empty, they caused accessibility and upkeep issues for the Farmers Market. Consequently, these barricades were removed and replaced with red pavement marking/lane lines. Violations of the fire lane are being monitored by City staff in case additional changes are needed. Staff is also planning to install additional signage and the previously approved access gates at some locations, such as at the intersection of Culver Boulevard/S Canfield Avenue to eliminate the observed violations of the westbound emergency lane.
It should be noted that the City recently received a request by K-ZO restaurant to implement some closure of the eastbound right-turn lane on Culver Boulevard that serves traffic entering the Ince Parking Structure. This request is currently under consideration by the Community Development Department and has not yet been reviewed by Public Works. Any lane closure will be brought for Council consideration and approval following the staff review.
Lane Closure Requested in the Arts District
The City received requests from representatives of the Arts District to establish some lane closures on westbound Washington Boulevard between La Cienega Avenue and Adams Boulevard to mainly accommodate outdoor dining for the EK Valley, Industry Café & Jazz, and Brunello Trattoria restaurants. City staff reviewed the requested concept and discussed the matter in a few meetings with the Community representatives, before presenting the concept to the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee (Mayor Eriksson and Council Member Small) during the meeting held on August 3, 2020.
Closures of the curb-side parking area and a westbound travel lane along some segments of Washington Boulevard between La Cienega Avenue and Adams Boulevard as recommended by staff are illustrated on Attachments 1-5. In addition to retaining a 12-foot westbound travel lane to serve the general traffic, a dedicated 5-foot bike lane is recommended. Width of the enclosed areas to accommodate outdoor dining in the vicinity of the three restaurants averages at about 11 feet. The bus stop to the east of La Cienega Avenue will remain open, and all driveways will remain accessible. In response to the community’s request, a full closure of Hargis Street between the alleyway and Washington Boulevard is also included as part of the concept plan. The alleyway parallel to Washington Boulevard will remain open to provide access to the abutting residences and businesses.
During the August 3rd meeting, the Subcommittee expressed support of the attached concept plan and recommended bringing it forward to full City Council for consideration.
Community Messaging in the Arts District
In anticipation of City Council’s consideration of the lane closure in the Arts District, Public Notification (Attachment 6) was conducted by the Community Development Department on August 10th, via email, to the Culver City Arts District Executive Director, the Culver City Arts District Resident Association leadership, the City of Los Angeles, Office of Council President Emeritus Herb J. Wesson, Jr. and to the Board of the South Robertson Neighborhood Council. In addition, the Public Notification was mailed to all businesses within the Culver City Arts District and residents along Fay Avenue, McManus Avenue, Melvil Avenue, and Hargis Street. Similarly, the Notification was mailed to properties along the south side of Venice Boulevard between Fay Avenue and Hargis Street. Staff received a few phone calls from area residents that were satisfied by explaining the concept plan.
Parklet Requested in Downtown Culver City
Public Works staff prepared guidelines for the establishment of temporary public and private parklets, as well as permitting requirements of temporary private parklets within the public right-of-way. Such parklets are established in the shoulder/parking zone and do not involve lane closure and are approved by the Public Works Director. Based on the developed guidelines, implementation of private parklets is assumed to be funded and implemented by the individual businesses.
In response to a recent request initiated by the Rush Street Restaurant, the City’s Public Works Department agreed to temporally use some of the barricades removed from Main Street to establish an enclosed parklet area on the east side of Irving Place north of A Street thereby eliminating six metered parking spaces in order to accommodate outdoor dining. This agreement is intended to retain the temporary shoulder closure for a number of weeks until the barricades are needed for lane closures, such as in the Arts District. The Downtown Business Association and the restaurant representative are currently requesting that the City maintains the enclosed parklet for the duration of COVID 19 similar to the rest of the Downtown area. This raises the need for obtaining City Council direction with regards to the City funding establishment of shoulder/parking zone parklets that may arise in different parts of the City, and if the barricades are acceptable devices relative to the beautification measures that were originally envisioned.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
If approved, funding of the closures on the north side of Washington Boulevard and on Hargis Street in the Arts District, as well as on the south side of Culver Boulevard in the Downtown area as referenced in this report can be funded with remaining budget that was approved by City Council on June 22nd, 2020 for $382,033. The $382,033 was appropriated for temporary street closures on the north side of Culver Blvd and the Downtown area. The total cost of this project is expected to come in under budget by approximately $80,000.
The street closures referenced in this Staff Report will not exceed $80,000 and will be completed with the same vendor “Statewide” under the City Manager’s Authority. Expenditures will be paid from Account#10116100.514120.CV019.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Overall Concept Plan of Temporary Lane Closure on Westbound Washington Boulevard from La Cienega Avenue to Adams Boulevard, as well as Temporary Full Closure of Hargis Street from the alleyway to Washington Boulevard
2. Segment 1 - Washington Boulevard from La Cienega Avenue to Melvil Street
3. Segment 2 - Washington Boulevard from Melvil Street to Hargis Street.
4. Segment 3 - Washington Boulevard from Hargis Street to the La Ballona Creek.
5. Segment 4 - Washington Boulevard from La Cienega Boulevard to Adams Boulevard
6. Public Notification regarding Temporary Lane Closure in the Arts District
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. If desired, approve a temporary lane closure to accommodate outdoor dining in the Arts District;
2. Discuss City-sponsored temporary parklets in curb-side parking areas to support restaurants recovery in the City; and,
3. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.