Staff hearing officer approves parklet for Mooney’s Mexican Food at 217 Anacapa Street

The City of Santa Barbara staff hearing officer on June 10 approved a coastal development permit for an outdoor dining parklet for Mooney’s Mexican Food at 217 Anacapa Street. The proposed wood platform would measure about 46 feet by 6 feet, provide seating for 25, include traffic barriers and string lighting, and add two required bicycle parking stalls.

An associate planner in the Planning and Zoning Division presented the application and staff findings, noting that the project qualifies for a CEQA Guideline §15303 exemption for small structures and that the Architectural Board of Review had offered generally favorable comments. The planner explained that because the site falls within a half-mile of public transit, Assembly Bill 2097 prohibits the city from requiring additional vehicle parking for the restaurant; staff therefore did not require vehicle parking but did require bicycle parking for the parklet.

The planner said the parklet would not impede public coastal access and that traffic safety barriers are required because the facility occupies the public right-of-way. Planner and staff recommended approval and Tess Harris approved the coastal development permit; the project will return to the Architectural Board of Review for design approvals and the applicant must obtain a parklet license before installation. Harris said the decision is subject to the standard 10-day appeal period.

Harris praised the location and noted the city is planning additional bike racks nearby, which staff expect will supplement bicycle parking for the area. No public commenters or written correspondence were recorded at the hearing on this item.