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Staff recommends sweeping downtown zoning changes to ease rules for small businesses
Summary
Staff presented a package of municipal‑code and downtown master plan changes aimed at streamlining regulations for day care, home‑based businesses, studios, and small commercial recreation businesses and to reduce permitting costs and timelines for entrepreneurs.
Vivian Togon, identified in the record as an associate planner with the community development department, presented a package of proposed amendments to the municipal code and downtown master plan intended to streamline commercial uses and reduce barriers for small businesses.
"Day care centers would change from conditionals to permitted use in many districts," Togon said, explaining the proposal would expand locations where child‑care centers can operate and reduce the time and cost of conditional‑use permitting that can deter small operators.
The package also includes removing the home occupation permit in favor of a 'home‑based business' classification with an expanded list of allowable activities, repealing an ineffective formula business section, and aligning three downtown code sections so studios, health/fitness and small commercial recreation businesses can operate under consistent square‑foot and permitting thresholds.
Staff said the changes reflect outreach with the Chamber, business associations and the economic development board and are intended to implement the city’s resiliency plan by reducing 'business fatigue' and encouraging local business formation. Staff recommended the commission conduct the public hearing and, if the commission concurs, forward a recommendation to the city council.
