Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request by the City of McKinney to Amend Chapter 87 (Special Events), of the Code of Ordinances to Modify the Expiration Date of Provisions Permitting Parklets Within Certain Areas of the City and Providing Minimum Requirements thereof
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
5D: Promote reinvestment activities in McKinney’s historic downtown that balance preservation of historic character and current market needs
MEETING DATE: March 16, 2021
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Alek Miller, AICP, Planner II
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to extend the expiration date of the parklets ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY: In order to support Downtown McKinney businesses that have been affected by limited occupancy and social distancing requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic, the City Council approved a parklet program late in 2020. The program established requirements for businesses wishing to use on-street parking spaces in downtown McKinney for expansion of dining space into “parklets.” The ordinance permitting parklets was set to expire the earlier of July 31, 2021 or the date on which the State of Texas’ emergency orders were lifted. Governor Greg Abbott has announced that occupancy limits on restaurants would be lifted on March 10, 2021. Given that the parklet program has been in place for just over three months, staff believes it would be appropriate to extend the City’s program through the end of 2021.
BACKGROUND:
Cities around the country and in Texas have addressed a need for additional outdoor dining space by allowing use of on-street parking spaces for expansion of dining space, sometimes called “parklets.” This approach allows for greater physical distance between people and adds activity and visual interest to the pedestrian environment.
The McKinney Restaurant Council raised the idea of allowing dining in on-street parking spaces at the November 10, 2020 City Council Special Meeting. Staff presented information on allowing parklets in downtown McKinney at the City Council Work Session on December 1, 2020. On December 15, 2020, the City Council approved an ordinance was prepared that allowed for a parklet program through the Special Events chapter of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The program was set to expire the earlier of a) lifting of statewide Covid-19 restrictions or b) July 31, 2021.
Staff proposes extending the program through the December 31, 2021 and removing the reference to Covid-19 restrictions.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:
Chapter 87 (Special Events):
The proposed amendments would modify the expiration date of the program to December 31, 2021 and remove reference to state emergency orders. The proposed ordinance is attached.
PARKLET PROGRAM UTILIZATION
In addition to initiating amendments to create a program to allow private businesses to create their own parklets, the City purchased two parklets using existing funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The first businesses to use these parklets are Hugs Café and CT Provisions; both businesses have agreed to rent the parklets until July 1, 2021. If the parklet program is extended, there would be an opportunity to allow other businesses to rent them during the latter half of 2021 or to extend the existing rental agreements. Since the adoption of the ordinance, businesses have expressed interest in constructing their own parklets, but none has submitted an application to date.
OPPOSITION TO OR SUPPORT OF REQUEST: Staff has received no emails or phone calls in support of or opposition to the proposed amendments.