downtown sidewalk café design guidelines

Downtown Sidewalk Café Design Guidelines

C I T Y O F R E D W O O D C I T Y

S I D E W A L K C A F É G U I D E L I N E S

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MAP OF ELIGIBLE SIDEWALK CAFÉ LOCATIONS………………………………………….. PURPOSE OF GUIDELINES…………………………………………….…………………………. SUBMITTALS ……………………………………………………………………………… CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS……………………………………………………………………… SIDEWALK PATTERNS…..…………….……………………………………………………………. SIDEWALK CAFÉ ZONES………………………………………………………………..………….. SITE FURNITURE SIZES……………………………….……………………………… SIDEWALK CAFÉ OPERATIONS..…….....……………………………………………………… SIDEWALK CAFÉ MAINTENANCE…………………………………………………………………

Table of Contents Page

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Downtown Sidewalk Café Map 2600-2000 BROADWAY BLOCKS

Figure 1

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84

101

Downtown Neighborhood

BROADWAY

Sidewalks

Rail Road


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PURPOSE The purpose of these guidelines is to help clarify and provide standards for sidewalk café uses in order to enhance the quality and safety of the pedestrian experience in the Downtown and reinforce its sense of place and economic vitality. These goals are consistent with the vision outlined in the Downtown Area Plan. Compliance with all applicable sections of these guidelines is required at all times (e.g. insurance, clearance requirements).

PUBLIC SPACES POLICY It is the policy of the City of Redwood City that in the design of public and private projects, high priority be given to creating comfortable, enjoyable, and aesthetically pleasing public spaces.

Adopted by City Council Sept. 10, 2001

DEFINITION OF A SIDEWALK CAFÉ A sidewalk café is an outdoor area located on the public right-of-way (ROW) which is operated and maintained by an establishment, coffeehouse, tea shop, restaurant or bar.


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SIDEWALK CAFÉ AREA Sidewalk Café Area The sidewalk café area can be defined as one or a combination of: 1) the space delineated by the facade of the building to the adjacent street, perpendicular to

the public right-of-way; 2) the recessed entries immediately adjacent to the outdoor sidewalk cafés; 3) the alleys adjacent to the operating business. Sidewalk Patterns Because the right-of-way conditions and configurations vary from block to block, the sidewalk café area is subject to one of six sidewalk patterns. These patterns guide the size and configuration of the sidewalk café area. They are named as follows: East Corner, West Corner, No Parking, Sawtooth, Narrow, and Expanded. (See ‘Sidewalk Patterns’ pg. 9) Sidewalk Café Zones Any sidewalk café area may be viewed as containing five ‘Zones of Function’ or ‘Activity’ which must be respected at all times. These zones include: Adjacent Zone, Café Zone, Pedestrian Zone, Buffer Zone, and Vehicular Zone. Understanding these zones will assist the applicant in determining the best layout for their sidewalk café area. (See Figure 15, pg. 22) Sidewalk Café Area Clearance Requirements The café operators are required to maintain all minimum distances and clearance requirements at all times. (See Figure 2, pg. 8)


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Eligible restaurants that would like to establish a sidewalk café must obtain a sidewalk café permit prior to operation in the public right-of-way. The café operator shall meet all conditions and requirements for a sidewalk café permit at all times. The application for a Sidewalk Café Permit is available at the Community Development Department at City Hall. The application packet includes an application form, a Hold Harmless Agreement, and a sample site plan and Insurance Endorsement form.

Submittal Items The following items must be submitted to the Planning Department in order to process an application for a Sidewalk Café Permit:

Submittals:

• Sidewalk Café Permit Fee Payment • Site Plan - Scaled and dimensioned • Cut sheet or photograph of site furniture • Insurance - Hold Harmless Agreement • Insurance - Certificate • Insurance - Endorsement • Proof of Tax Receipt or Business License • ABC License (if applicable) • Shared Area ZA Public Hearing (if applicable) Additional Submittals for Permanent/Semi-permanent Improvements (Engineering):

• Construction Permit Fee Payment (minimum $800.00) • Agreement Letter from Property Owner • Plat & Legal Description • Construction Estimate • Permanent Improvements Site Plan (with construction details) • Bond and License Agreement • City Council Approval • Inspector Appointment

SIDEWALK CAFÉ PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

SIDEWALK CAFE LAYOUT Moveable Improvements The downtown sidewalk café area contains various sidewalk patterns which affect the placement of improvements such as tables and chairs in the public right-of-way. The installation of these improvements is considered temporary in nature. The operator shall furnish the café area with tables and chairs, and can include umbrellas and portable heaters. The operator shall locate moveable flower boxes or planters adjacent to the street in such a way as to visually define and contain the sidewalk café area. The sidewalk café improvements shall be set up during the applicable hours of operation. The café operator shall remove moveable sidewalk café improvements while business is closed, unless permission is granted to do otherwise by the City. The operator shall furnish the sidewalk café area with appropriate trash receptacles as determined by the city. Permanent Improvements Unless the applicant obtains a construction permit and a revocable license agreement, the operator shall not make any permanent changes, such as bolting tables to the ground. Clearance Requirements The café operators are required to maintain all minimum distances and clearance requirements at all times. (See Pg. 8, Figure 2)

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TYPICAL CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Property Line

Door

Planter with tree

C R O S S W A L K

RESTAURANT B

RESTAURANT C

Door

5 ft. radius clearance from center of doorways at all times.

RESTAURANT A

Must keep 5 ft. clear pedestrian path at crosswalks from edge of curb at all times. Crosswalk and Pedestrian Zone must intersect.

Edge of curb

Door

5 ft

24 ft

2-3 ft Buffer Zone. Must keep 6 inch clearance between edge of curb and any improvements at all times.

Must keep 5 ft. minimum clear pedestrian path at all times.

Figure 2

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There are 6 sidewalk patterns (A - F) that apply to the blocks along Broadway. The following section is designed to determine which sidewalk pattern applies to the merchant’s storefront. A combination of patterns may also apply. For each sidewalk pattern, there are detailed site plan options and labeled photographs to help the merchant understand how the codes apply to their storefront. Each pattern has different conditions which affect the sidewalk cafe layout.

A East Corner (2000-2500 blocks)

B West Corner (2000-2500 blocks)

C No Parking (2000-2500 blocks)

D Sawtooth (2000-2500 blocks)

E Narrow (2600 block)

F Expanded (2600 block)

SIDEWALK PATTERNS


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A East Corner

Property Line

RESTAURANT

Door



SIDEWALK PATTERN

C R O S S W A L K


Edge of curb

Planter with tree

5 ft

2-3 ft. Buffer Zone. Must keep 6 inch clearance between edge of curb and any improvements at all times.

13’9”

Figure 3

10


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A East Corner SIDEWALK PATTERN Figure 4

5 ft

Pedestrian Zone Café Zone


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RESTAURANT

B West Corner

Door

18 ft

5 ft

Edge of curb

Property Line

Planter with tree



2-3 ft. Buffer Zone. Must keep 6 inch clearance between edge of curb and any improvements at all times.

SIDEWALK PATTERN

C R O S S W A L K


Figure 5

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B West Corner

Café Zone Pedestrian Zone Café Zone

5 ft

SIDEWALK PATTERN Figure 6


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28 ft

RESTAURANT

Door



C No Parking

5 ft

Property Line

3 ft. Buffer Zone. Must keep 6 inch clearance between edge of curb and any improvements at all times.

Edge of curb

Planter with tree



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C No Parking

Café Zone Pedestrian Zone Café Zone

5 ft



16

D Sawtooth

RESTAURANT



Property Line

Door



10 -15 ft

Edge of curb

Tree in grate

5 ft


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D Sawtooth

5 ft

Café Zone Pedestrian Zone Adjacent Zone



18

9 ft

E Narrow

Door

RESTAURANT B

RESTAURANT A



Door

5 ft

SIDEWALK PATTERN


Figure 11


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E Narrow

5 ft

Café Zone Pedestrian Zone



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F Expanded

Recessed Entry

16 ft



RESTAURANT

Door

Property Line

SIDEWALK PATTERN


5 ft

Figure 13

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21

F Expanded

5 ft

Café Zone Pedestrian Zone Adjacent Zone



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5’ 2’ - 3’ Varies On-Street Parking

Adjacent Zone Cafe

Zone Vehicular Zone

Buffer Zone

Interchangeable Zones

as determined by the city

Property Line

0’ - 24’ Ped-

estrian Zone

ZONES

Adjacent Zone Café Zone Pedestrian Zone Buffer Zone Vehicular Zone

Figure 15


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Adjacent Zone:

This zone applies to buildings with recessed entries (minimum 2 feet) that can accommodate café seating with tables.

• There shall be a minimum of 5 foot clear path from any entrance/exit door. This clearance may overlap with the 5 foot pedestrian path clearance.

• A minimum 5 foot clear wide path shall remain open between the café entrance door and the sidewalk/pedestrian zone. This includes all emergency exits and other doorways (Ordinance 33A.21).

Depending on the physical configuration of the site and building, the above requirement may be varied by the City at the time of the sidewalk cafe encroachment permit.

Pedestrian Zone:

As a public sidewalk, this zone is for the safe and unimpeded passage of pedestrians, wheelchairs, baby carriers, etc. This zone may include existing trees, lampposts, benches, bike racks, etc.

• A minimum of 5 foot clear path shall be maintained at all times. • All crosswalks must intersect with the Pedestrian Zone maintaining a 5 foot width

at all times.

The Café Zone:

This zone allows for the temporary installation of sidewalk café improvements (i.e. tables, chairs, umbrellas, portable heaters, etc.) This zone may include existing trees, lampposts, benches, bike racks, etc.

• The number of tables and chairs installed on the public right-of-way depends on the physical configuration of the site and will be determined by the City at the time of issuance of the sidewalk cafe encroachment permit.

ZONES


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The Buffer Zone:

This zone allows for the visual and physical separation between the vehicular travel lane and the pedestrian or café zone.

• Temporary planters, bollards, etc. are subject to City review as described in these guidelines.

• Permanent in-ground improvement may be granted by the City with a license agreement.

• Improvements may be located within the Buffer Zone consistent with the following conditions:

o Improvements are required to be located a minimum of 6” from the edge of curb. o For blocks with parallel parking, no flower boxes or planters may be placed in the

Buffer Zone. o For the 2600 block:

The Buffer Zone must be a minimum of 2 feet parallel to the edge of curb. o For the 2000-2500 blocks:

The Buffer Zone must be a minimum of 3 feet parallel to the edge of curb The Vehicular Zone:

This zone refers to the vehicular travel lane and the on-street parking adjacent to the edge of curb. No improvements are allowed in this zone. Crosswalks are considered within the Vehicular Zone and pedestrian access must extend to the Pedestrian Zone (see pg. 8).

ZONES

NOTE: The Café and Pedestrian Zones are interchangeable depending on the physical configuration of the site. At no time shall chairs extend into the Pedestrian Zone.


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Tables and Chairs Material: Tables and chairs shall match and be made of safe, sturdy and durable material, such as wood, steel, plastic, and wrought iron. All furniture shall be commercial grade and manufactured for outdoor commercial use. Vinyl tablecloths are not recommended.

CAFÉ FURNITURE DESIGN GUIDELINES All café furniture shall meet the following design standards:

Size: Round tables shall be no larger than 2½ ft wide. Square tables shall be no larger than 3ft wide.

Seating: Small round or square tables shall seat no more than four people unless otherwise approved by the City, subject to compliance with the clearance requirements. Tables and chairs shall match. Use of larger tables may be granted by the City provided that all clearance requirements are met.


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Flower Boxes and Planters The café owner may use flower boxes or planters to define the boundaries of the café seating area. To avoid blocking the patron’s vision while seated, the combined height of the planters and live plants shall not exceed 4 feet from sidewalk grade. The boxes or planters shall be no greater in height than 2½ ft. and no wider than 2 ft. at the base. Taller plants may be permitted depending on the location of the sidewalk café as approved by the City.

The flower boxes, planters, and storage bins shall be portable and be made of safe, durable and attractive material such as wood or steel. Planting Areas

All boxes, planters and planting areas must be planted with seasonal blooming live plants year round. The café owner shall be responsible for the prompt removal of all empty or poorly maintained planting areas.

Umbrellas Individual canvas or other non-vinyl umbrellas of a compatible design may be permitted in the right-of-way and shall not extend over the Pedestrian Zone. Umbrellas shall be made for outdoor commercial use subject to City approval.

CAFÉ FURNITURE DESIGN GUIDELINES


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Menu boards and Signs Menu boards, both portable and on walls, shall be subject to sign permit approval and shall comply with the City Code Section 33A, Article 2 as well as the Redwood City Sign Ordinance.

Portable Heaters Portable heaters are permitted subject to review and approval by Engineering and Fire Department.

Trash Receptacles The number, type, and location of trash receptacles shall be determined by the City and shall comply with the public right-of-way access code. Trash receptacles shall be made of durable material to match the existing façade and shall be commercial grade as determined by the City.

CAFÉ FURNITURE DESIGN GUIDELINES Fences/Barriers All in-ground improvements require a construction permit and/or license agreement which are subject to approval by the Engineering Department and City Council. Moveable barriers and fences shall be shown on the application site plan and are subject to approval by the City.


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Café Furniture The sidewalk café improvements shall be set up only during the applicable hours of operation and may not be stacked or stored outside on the public right-of-way at any time. Café furniture shall not be secured to lampposts, streetlights, trees or any other public street furniture. Portable heaters (or propane tanks) shall be stored inside when establishment is closed per Redwood City Fire Department. All approved café furniture shall be properly maintained and cleaned regularly.

SIDEWALK CAFE OPERATIONS Hours A business with a sidewalk café may be open for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and any combination thereof.

Alcohol The café shall comply with all applicable laws and local ordinances regarding the sale and service of food and beverages to the public, including the Alcohol and Beverage Control requirements for serving alcohol and applicable County Health Regulations.


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Café Area The café operator shall be responisible for the proper maintenance of the café area at all times, including properly disposing of all trash generated by the operation.

Tree grates shall be cleaned regularly.

Sidewalk Cleaning

The café operator shall comply with all State and local regulations related to water disposal including the National Public Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) as follows:

Pollution Prevention (visit www.cabmphandbooks.com for more information) • Use dry cleaning methods whenever practical for surface cleaning activities. • Use the least toxic materials available (e.g water-based paints, gels or sprays for

graffitti removal). Surface Cleaning

• Regular broom (dry) sweep sidewalk, plaza, and parking lot areas to minimize cleaning with water.

• Dry cleanup first (sweep, collect, and dispose of debris and trash) when cleaning sidewalks or plazas, then wash with or without soap.

• Block the storm drain or contain runoff when cleaning with water. Discharge wash water to landscaping or collect water and pump to a tank or discharge to sanitary sewer if allowed.

Landscaping The café operator shall maintain the flower boxes and planting areas unless otherwise determined by the City. All boxes, planters and planting areas shall be planted with seasonal blooming or ornamental evergreen live plants year round.

SIDEWALK CAFE MAINTENANCE

downtown sidewalk café design guidelines

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