photo by: Rochelle Valverde

The "parklet" patio of Papa Keno's Pizzeria, 837 Massachusetts St., is pictured on Sept. 18, 2021.

City leaders will soon consider hiring an architecture firm to help develop a long-term version of a program that has allowed downtown businesses to construct patios and outdoor dining areas in parking stalls during the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider authorizing city staff to proceed with development of a long-term “parklet” program with the consultation of a local architectural firm. The commission will also consider adding new regulations to the temporary version of the program.

The commission voted in November to extend the temporary program through March 31 so that a permanent version could be developed, though there was some discussion at the time about whether that was enough time to develop the needed regulations and fee structure. Regulations for the temporary program are relatively limited, and commissioners spoke to the importance of developing aesthetic and design regulations for the permanent program and establishing appropriate fees.

There are a variety of temporary seating areas downtown as part of the parklet program. Some consist of wooden decks or other sturdier construction, while others are more rudimentary and consist mostly of temporary awnings. The parking stalls and in some cases sidewalk areas that businesses have converted into outdoor patio space belong to the city, and as part of the temporary program the city has not been charging for use of the space.

As part of the development of the long-term program, the city hopes to incorporate the parklet program into the city’s existing sidewalk dining program. Some retail businesses have asked for limits on the number of parklet patios due to concerns about lost parking spots, and the city also hopes to build consensus about program details.

The additional requirements for the temporary program would require the parklets to meet access standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and call for a certain level of use if the parklet structures are to remain in place.

The city outlined the following steps as part of the development of a permanent program, according to a city staff memo to the commission.

•Extend the temporary program until Aug. 31, 2022.

•Hire a local architecture firm to collect best practices from other communities and and develop a recommended set of design details, configurations, materials and fees for a permanent program. The plan will attempt to merge the parklet program and the city’s existing sidewalk dining program.

•The consultant will engage downtown Lawrence business owners with a proposed plan to attempt to gain consensus on program details.

•The proposed program would return to the commission for consideration in early July, with anticipated implementation on Sept. 1.

The proposed resolution for extending the temporary parklet program includes the following additional requirements.

•The use of the public right of way as part of the program shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 at all times.

•If a parklet is not used for more than 30 consecutive days, then the city shall issue a notice giving the business 30 days to either use the parklet or remove it from city property. If the business does not comply, then the city shall have the right to remove and dispose of those facilities or items.

The Lawrence City Commission will meet virtually at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, and some staff will be in place at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. The public may attend the meeting in person at City Hall or participate virtually by following directions included in the commission’s meeting agenda, which is available on the city’s website, lawrenceks.org.