The Planning Commission will hold a study session to consider a proposed list of commercial uses that would be allowed “by right” in Piedmont’s commercial and mixed-use areas on Monday, Oct. 14.
Planning Commission Study Session: Permitted Commercial Uses and Performance Standards
Monday, October 14, 5:30 pm | Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/81433792768
Agenda | Staff Report
Community members can provide comment at the meeting in-person or via Zoom. This is a discussion item only – no decisions will be made.
Proposed permitted business types include limited service restaurants, florists, and hair salons
Under the proposed zoning updates, certain types of businesses would be able to open in commercial and mixed-used zones along Grand and Highland Avenues without a public hearing process – as long as they conform to certain standards covering hours of operation, number of employees, and other limitations designed to ensure that new businesses are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
The initial proposed list of permitted business types includes:
- Food and beverage sales: Wine shops, Limited service restaurants and cafes, Bakery
- Nurseries and garden supplies: Florist shops, Plant nurseries, Garden supply stores
- Neighborhood serving retail: Clothing store, Art and Craft store, Book store, Bike shop, Hardware store
- Office: Architecture, Engineering, Medical, Dental
- Professional Services: Hair salons, Barber services, Yoga studio, Dance studio, Martial Arts studio, Photography studio, Tutoring Center
- Other: Fitness center
The Planning Commission will also consider proposed performance standards that would apply to all business types (such as restrictions on loading hours and outdoor storage) and standards specific to individual business types (such as prohibiting restaurants and cafes from selling alcohol).
Businesses that do not fit into one of these categories would still be able to open in Piedmont, but they would need to go through a public hearing process and receive individual approval from the Planning Commission.
Proposed list of business types based on community input and Planning Commission, City Council discussions
The proposed list of business types was developed based on responses to a community survey, as well as previous Planning Commission and City Council study sessions.
In the survey, respondents indicated strong support for encouraging local businesses that provide social gathering spaces and amenities that enhance overall quality of life. Of 16 potential business types, responses most favored by-right permitting for restaurants/cafés, tutoring/lessons, and personal services (salons, barbers). Community members also stressed the importance of businesses that integrate well with the existing neighborhoods and the need to be mindful of potential negative impacts.
Following the study session, Planning staff will further refine the proposed list of permitted uses and performance standards based on input received at the meeting and solicit additional feedback from the community in a second public survey. When complete, the revisions would be considered for approvals at public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Learn more about this initiative and see materials and video from previous discussions at piedmont.ca.gov/PermittedCommercialUses. To provide input via email, contact Associate Planner Gopika Nair at gnair@piedmont.ca.gov.