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File Number: 22-280 experienced significant restrictions on their operations and reductions in revenues throughout 2020 and 2021. While most businesses were able to remain afloat thanks to the assistance from Federal, State and local grant and loan programs, they often also depleted their financial reserves and took on debt to continue their operations. In 2022, many businesses continue to experience the lingering impacts of the pandemic, including reduced customers, changing shopping habits, marked inflation, deferred maintenance, and increasing demand for security and cleaning of their facilities. However, limited resources are restricting many businesses from making vital improvements at their locations to respond to these impacts. Using City grants, Staff envisions that businesses will be able to install permanent outdoor facilities; replace broken windows; create safer locations for their business, employees, and customers; undertake deferred maintenance to restore the appearance of buildings; improve building accessibility; update physical operations based on customer demands; and initiate other business improvements. Outdoor Facilities Permits The COVID-19 Temporary Outdoor Facilities Program was implemented with the understanding that it would provide temporary flexibility to businesses and would expire with the end of the local state of emergency. Through the program, certain procedures and requirements under the Zoning and Municipal Codes related to Land Use Permits and Encroachment Permits were waived. However, for the safety and liability mitigation of businesses and their patrons, such requirements cannot and should not be waived permanently. Following the success of the Temporary Outdoor Facilities Program, many restaurants have found that their outdoor dining spaces are an important addition to their business. While more business patrons are returning to public spaces, many restaurants continue to underperform per seat. In addition, out-door seating is increasingly popular and the extra out-door space offers opportunities for additional revenue especially for those businesses that have incurred additional debt or are behind on their rent payments. In order to support restaurants that would like to continue their outdoor seating permanently, staff recommends that the Temporary Outdoor Facilities Program be phased out and assistance be provided to the businesses to make their outdoor areas permanent. Under the proposed Resolution, the Emergency Declaration waiving certain requirements and creating the Temporary Outdoor Facilities Program will be terminated and businesses will be provided a transition period of six months (to April 30, 2023) to modify their facilities and operations as needed to meet permanent requirements and submit a complete application for the standard Outdoor Facilities Permit for their outdoor dining. The Outdoor Facilities Permit is an existing mechanism for responsibly establishing outdoor operations for San Leandro businesses. Any business may apply for this permit at any time, but the availability of grants will help significantly since, due to reduced reserves, many local businesses may be unable to afford the high costs to develop plans, apply for the permanent Outdoor Facilities Permit, and undertake construction. Through the Business Facilities Grant Program, funds and staff technical assistance would be available to help businesses prepare plans, apply for permits, and install improvements for safe, accessible and aesthetically pleasing outdoor facilities. Page 3 City of San Leandro Printed on 10/13/2022