BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TABLES ACTION ON DOWNTOWN PARKLET MANUAL

  

Much discussion was had by the Brenham City Council this (Wednesday) afternoon regarding rules and standards for parklets in downtown Brenham, but a vote will have to wait until a future meeting.

The council opted to table action on a downtown parklet manual, which contains the information needed for anyone seeking to develop a parklet in downtown.  The decision came after councilmembers and staff members talked at length about the proposed wording of certain sections of the manual and how they could be reworked.

According to the manual as it is currently written, parklets must be associated with a business that primarily sells food or beverages, and cannot be located on TxDOT right of way.  There can only be one parklet allowed per block face.  Initially, the manual would have stated that parklets occupy a minimum of two and a maximum of three parking spaces, but after discussion, it will be reworded to say they will take up no more than three angled or two parallel parking spaces.

A parklet license agreement between the city and sponsoring business will last for a term of one year, with four years of extensions.  However, parklet sponsors can choose to pay the license agreement fee in full for five years at a discount, but the fee is non-refundable.  Parklet sponsors will also be subject to an annual fee of $500 if the parklet is considered private, meaning parklets that are reserved for business use during operating hours, or $250 if it is open for public use at all times.  They will also have to pay a building permit fee based on the cost of the project.  License agreements must be approved by the city council before an application is approved.

While the council seemed to be in agreement with many of the planned eligibility requirements, some design standards and parklet sponsor responsibilities drew debate between the council and staff.  Those included not allowing amplified music, prohibiting advertising at the parklet, and requiring non-disposable dishes and silverware at private parklets.

Discussion led to compromise between the council and staff, who agreed to remove the prohibition of amplified music and add the stipulation that the requirement of non-disposable dishes and silverware be limited to dine-in services only.  However, the main sticking point of advertising, particularly on umbrellas, remained.  Some councilmembers were in favor of allowing advertisers’ logos on umbrellas as long as they were sized appropriately.  Meanwhile, staff members were concerned that advertising on umbrellas could create conflicts with the city’s sign ordinance and lead to businesses earning revenue off of the parklets, which are owned by the city.

The council ultimately chose to hold off on further action in order to allow staff more time to look into additional options.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Received an update on the city’s comprehensive plan.
• Approved a request from the Brenham Housing Authority (BHA) to adjust the zoning for the 1.2 acre property at 1003 Hasskarl Drive that currently serves as the site of the community center at Fairview Terrace. The zoning change from R-2 Mixed Residential Use to B-1 Local Business Mixed Use allows the BHA to expand the allowable uses for possible future development of the community center.
• Approved an agreement between the city and Fifth Asset, Inc. (DBA DebtBook) for the purchase of lease and debt accounting software application and support services. The purchase is for a three-year subscription at an annual cost of $9,750.
• Approved a license agreement between the city and Stylecraft Builders, Inc. for parking within public right of way, along Trellis Pass, in the Vintage Farms subdivision.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Wednesday's meeting.