City to open public parks and plazas — to some businesses
Outdoor spaces have become one of the only refuges for businesses reeling from the pandemic
Because outdoor spaces have become one of the last refuges for businesses reeling from the pandemic, San Jose is making it easier for business owners to take advantage of the city’s public parks, plazas and parking lots.
The San Jose City Council this week approved waiving fees and expediting the application process for businesses — such as restaurants, hair salons, fitness studios and retail shops — to operate in some of the city’s underused public outdoor spaces.
The council’s decision marks the latest adaptation to San Jose Al Fresco — a plan introduced by Mayor Sam Liccardo and Council member Dev Davis in early May to help businesses struggling from the economic fallout of forced closures and reduced operations stemming from the pandemic and corresponding public health orders.
Under the program, the city previously had permitted eligible businesses to expand their operations into private parking lots, public sidewalks, onstreet parking spaces and public streets. Last month, the city shut down its first street to vehicular traffic — San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John streets — to allow restaurants there to expand their dining capacity.
Over the past three months, San Jose has issued about 100 permits for businesses to expand onto sidewalks, parklets, streets and private parking lots, according to the city’s Economic Development Office.
“Our entrepreneurs in San Jose are innovative, and they’re trying desperately to figure out a way to save their businesses and continue operations in this turbulent environment,” San Jose City Councilwoman Dev Davis said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “So I appreciate all you (city staffers) are doing to make sure they have opportunities outdoors for as long as we have our beautiful summer and fall weather.”
Eligibility for the extended outdoor options depends on the type of business, location and public outdoor space desired. Here is what businesses need to know.
Parking lots
The first parking lot available for businesses to stake a claim for is on Minnesota Avenue, just west of Lincoln Avenue. Any business within a quarter mile of the parking lot will be eligible for a spot on a first-come, first
served basis. City staffers are identifying additional city parking lots that would be suitable for the program.
Access to the city-owned parking lot will be provided through a right of entry agreement, which will cost a business $1 and run through the end of the public health emergency, according to the city.
Parks or plazas
Businesses may apply to expand their outdoor operations into a nearby public park or plaza, but they must meet certain criteria.
In the downtown core, a restaurant must be adjacent to the requested park or plaza to be eligible to operate in it. All other downtown businesses, such as hair salons, fitness studios and retail shops, must be within a quarter mile of the park or plaza.
Any business that wants to use a park outside of the city’s downtown core has to be located within a 3-mile radius of the park.
No more than a quarter of the total area of a park can be used for business operations. Businesses won’t be allowed to operate within 50 feet of any residential property.
Although the city has not specified which public parks are eligible for the program, city plazas such as Fountain Alley, Hammer Theatre Plaza, the Circle of Palms and Parque de los Pobladores in downtown San Jose specifically were listed out by the city.