The process for making changes to the composition of our B'way business district took another step forward this week. As the Daily Journal reports
With a vote of 7-0, the Planning Commission approved changing a zoning code to remove the restrictions on health services above the first floor and food establishments in the Broadway Commercial Area Monday night. Last year, the Broadway Business Improvement District, or BID, sent a letter to the City Council in support of measures like this. For 20 years, Broadway has sought to encourage retail by restricting certain types of businesses but, in recent years, the nature of retail and the demands of the community has changed, according to the letter. The city currently allows only 28 food establishments on the street, based upon the City Council approval of Broadway food establishments in October 1999.
We will see. Unlike B'game Ave. that I almost always walk to, I always drive to B'way–and I do it often–and I just don't see the parking problem that is the main focus of the article. I think this commenter has a better perspective
“We have a large number of restaurants (in Redwood City),” he (Dave Simpson) said, according to a video of the meeting. “I’ve seen the retail businesses in Redwood City die. This is really tough because I look at the street (Broadway) that is only two blocks long and that many food service businesses on that short block. The concern is about the relative traffic of the restaurant business. It turned Redwood City into a terror now; it’s deserted during the daytime and it’s a parking lot at 6 o’clock at night.”
We should all be watching that bit about "health services above the first floor". If you want to talk about what could help the image of B'way, it would be a bit more attention paid to "health services" businesses.
Leave a Reply