New Burlingame parklet program moves forward

Once rebuilt, owners will have minimum three-year agreements with the city and not be required to tear down the parklets unless inspection issues arise, City Manager Lisa Goldman said. 

“If you invest this X number of thousands of dollars now, we’re not going to make you do the same thing three years from now,” she said of the decision. 

The new restrictions come as some business owners complained that the large outdoor dining spaces cause parking issues in the downtown and block other shop storefronts. 

“I hope that most of the owners decide to rebuild. I think it’s a nice balance right now of vibrancy, but I do remember we also invested in making the sidewalks wider without the parklets,” Councilmember Michael Brownrigg said. “I am pretty confident there will be a vibrant downtown with or without parklets.” 

Those that choose to rebuild will have until October to take down, rebuild and re-permit the structures. Businesses that choose not to retain their parklets will have the month of July to coordinate with the city in removing them and will not be allowed to rebuild. 

Currently, parklets cost $11,970 annually for participating shops, a fee that will decrease to $8,730 on average for those in Burlingame’s downtown and $6,480 on average for those in the Broadway Commercial District using per-square foot cost methodology. 

“We’re not getting a full recovery for cost of parklets, but I absolutely feel they add a lot and I do hope they will continue,” Councilmember Andrea Pappajohn said. “I’ve heard from so many community members how they enhance the outdoor dining.” 

A previous flat rate space use fee of $1,590 a year will change to $15 per square foot in downtown Burlingame and $6 per square foot in the Broadway Commercial District. 

A cleaning fee of $3,180 a year will remain, and inspection fees will reduce from $7,200 a year to only $1,800 — the increased regulation and rebuild process will standardize the structures and reduce inspection needs, councilmembers said. 

The city should get ahead of the optics so the public understands the new program isn’t forcing businesses to shut their parklets down, Brownrigg said. 

“I can assure you the messaging from those who close will be ‘the city made me close,’” he said. “And the city didn’t make them close, the city said ‘we have to bring these things up to reasonable health standards and in a way that provides visibility to other storefronts.’” 

Frontage restrictions mean that businesses with tiny storefronts might no longer be able to retain their outdoor dining structures, Mayor Donna Colson said.