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Staff seeks feedback on curated list of permitted commercial uses for Zone D, including cafes, neighborhood retail and performance standards
Summary
Staff presented draft permitted uses and performance standards for Zone D, proposing neighborhood‑serving retail (cafes/bakeries until 10 PM), some offices on upper floors, and rules such as no outdoor service by right and screened trash; commissioners debated allowed ground‑floor uses, outdoor seating and whether alcohol service should require a conditional use permit.
Associate Planner Gopika Nair briefed the commission on draft code revisions that would curate a set of permitted commercial uses and performance standards for Zone D, with the goals of complying with state law, aligning with housing‑element guidance, and encouraging neighborhood‑serving businesses.
"This agenda item discusses draft changes to the city code that include proposed permitted commercial uses and accompanying performance standards in Zone D," Nair told the commission. Staff proposed allowing neighborhood retail including limited‑service restaurants, cafes and bakeries (operating through about 10 PM), wine shops, and small service businesses. The proposal recommends some professional offices be sited above ground floor retail to preserve active streetfront uses.
Performance standards discussed include: no outdoor service by right (outdoor seating would be allowed through the conditional‑use process to manage noise and adjacent residential impacts), screening for trash and recycling receptacles, limits on outdoor storage, and loading‑hour restrictions to avoid conflicts with morning school drop‑off. Staff noted AB 2632 (effective 2025‑01‑01) means thrift stores cannot be regulated differently from comparable retail uses.
Commissioners asked about ADA/elevator requirements for multi‑story buildings, whether more office categories should be listed, how to handle outdoor seating and parklets, and whether alcohol service at cafes should be permitted by right or handled through a conditional‑use permit. Commissioners generally supported the curated approach but recommended additional public outreach (a targeted follow‑up on alcohol service was suggested) and clarity on several definitions and hours for specific uses.
