Neighborhood Retail - Help is on the Way

It is hard not to notice the vacancies throughout Berkeley’s retail districts. There are lots of ideas about the source of these vacancies, but thanks to efforts underway by community leaders, city staff and merchant associations, changes are underway to make it easier to open and expand a business in Berkeley. On April 27 the Planning Commission approved eight proposed amendments to the zoning code to make it easier to open and expand a business in Berkeley’s retail districts. 

The success of neighborhood retail is a livability issue because healthy retail is a key component of walkable neighborhoods. Berkeley Chamber of Commerce Co-CEO John DeClercq noted to the Commission, "What's good for small business and Berkeley's neighborhoods is what's good for Berkeley. Better zoning processes and standards will lead to more walkable neighborhoods and economic revitalization.”

The amendments were spurred by Councilmember Laurie Capitelli's 2010 survey of Solano Avenue merchants and are supported by business district leaders. City staff recommended the eight amendments as the easiest to implement with the greatest impact. The Chamber then took those proposed amendments and invited all eighteen of the City's merchant associations to participate in the survey. Respondents favored (by 77-92%) easier permitting processes for establishing sidewalk seating, ground floor office uses, beer and wine licenses with food, new restaurants and pedestrian-oriented businesses.

Next steps: The Planning Commission will next consider specific language to implement these guidelines and then recommend the zoning amendments to the City Council. The Council will then decide whether to put these changes into action.