The Davis City Council approved a Downtown Davis Holiday Construction Moratorium Pilot on Oct. 6 as part of its consent calendar, which passed unanimously. From 12:01 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, through 11:59 p.m. Jan. 2, the city will not issue encroachment permits or other authorizations for downtown construction or roadwork that needs a traffic control plan or a temporary closure, restriction or occupation of the public right of way. Work in the area that was already authorized must stop for that period unless it qualifies for an exception or the public works director approves it in writing.
Staff said construction in the public right of way can close lanes, sidewalks, bike facilities and parking, affecting travel, access and nearby businesses, and that the period from the day after Thanksgiving through Jan. 2 is a high-demand holiday period for residents, visitors and local businesses.
The moratorium does not apply to emergency work to protect life, health, safety, property or essential public services; work required by a federal, state or local agency order; work needed to maintain essential utilities or public services; or work entirely outside the public right of way that doesn't close or restrict a street, sidewalk, bike facility, parking space or public access route. The public works director can also approve work in writing to avoid a substantial safety risk, significant property damage, harm to essential public services or substantial economic hardship. The Lumberyard project at 500 G St. may keep its current traffic control and sidewalk closure during the moratorium.
The pilot covers the downtown area outlined on a map attached to the resolution. Public Works was to notify affected permit holders in writing by Oct. 28, and it may require them to remove or secure traffic control devices and restore lanes, sidewalks, bike facilities and parking. The resolution sets no new fines; violations can lead to stop-work orders or suspension or revocation of city permits.
If the pilot is successful, staff plan to bring the council an ordinance in the spring to make the downtown holiday moratorium permanent.