Burlingame to limit parklets

A majority of councilmembers expressed support for limiting the program, making space more equitable for retailers and businesses getting eclipsed by large parklet structures that block parking and adjacent stores. 

Originally, the parklets were a vital function of maintaining restaurant business during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’ve become overbearing for retailers who make important contributions to the city’s sales tax, Mayor Donna Colson said. 

“I don’t want to jeopardize our balance with hard businesses and restaurants, which are also fun, but are frankly destroying the [Avenue] right in front of the restaurants,” she said. “It’s pitch black, filthy, dirty, they’re not covering the cost, we can’t keep it clean. … I think it’s just a matter of balancing it.” 

Vice Mayor Emily Beach expressed support for allowing businesses to apply for new parklets that meet design standards. 

“I really like the parklet program, I think it adds to the vibrancy, it adds to the feeling of community,” she said. “My preference would be to implement every standard here, but allow for new parklets that meet the new standards to come into play.” 

Currently, 30 parklets in the Burlingame Avenue downtown and the Broadway Commercial district are occupying 63 parking spaces, with 13 extending beyond their business frontages. 

Several retailers, including David Mendell of Kerns Fine Jewelry, attended the May 6 City Council meeting to express concern over the lack of parking and amount of space the parklets take up. 

“We’re in a lucky position. Sometimes when people drive around for 20 minutes and can’t find parking, they can reschedule, but for someone with a hair salon … they don’t have that opportunity,” Mendell said. “Parking is so vital and important.” 

Don Gross of Burlingame Tobacconist concurred, noting that Burlingame’s wide sidewalks are already built for outdoor dining and he believed the parklets should be permanently removed. 

The parklet issue has definitive pros and cons for various stakeholders, Community Development Director Kevin Gardiner acknowledged. 

“The concern is, there’s already a lot of parklets and if there’s more parklets it may hasten the transition of our commercial district to be more focused on restaurants and less on retail services,” he said. “The flip side of that is, is the existence of a parklet really driving that decision? Or are there bigger decisions when somebody opens a store or a restaurant.” 

Under the draft ordinance, roofs, trellises and tent shade structures will not be allowed and structural elements will not be allowed to extend beyond the top of the walls to allow for better visibility to adjacent businesses. Curb gutters must be kept unobstructed and furnishings cannot be stored in the parklet when not in use.