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REPORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br /> <br />March 28, 2016 <br /> <br />SUBJECT <br />Active Ground Floor Use (Retail) Requirements on Main Street <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />By motion, direct staff to initiate a Downtown Precise Plan Amendment to require Active <br />Ground Floor Uses on Main Street between Broadway and Middlefield. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />The Redwood City Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP) was adopted in 2011. This <br />document has the “power” of the Zoning Ordinance in Downtown Redwood City. <br />Therefore, zoning regulations such as height, setbacks, and parking requirements are <br />found in this document and guide the process for proposed developments to be <br />reviewed and approved. In addition, the DTPP contains “use” regulations. In other <br />words, the Plan determines the types of businesses that may operate in certain <br />locations. <br />Section 2.2 of the DTPP (attached) breaks the entire downtown area into three different <br />use zones: Entertainment District, Downtown Core and Downtown General. A table <br />within the DTPP further details the types of businesses that are allowed in each zone. <br />There are certain segments of the Entertainment District and Downtown Core District <br />where “active ground floor” uses are required. These areas are indicated by a black line <br />on the attached map. <br />“Active Ground Floor” use zones generally allow retail (traditional retail and restaurants), <br />personal and business services (hair salons, etc.) and in certain areas, entertainment <br />uses. Other uses are allowed above the ground floor, and in the rear portions of the <br />ground floor, including offices, health clubs, and several other related business types. <br />The largest segment where the active ground floor requirement applies is on Broadway <br />between El Camino and Main Street. <br />The subject of this report, Main Street between Broadway and Middlefield, is in the <br />Downtown Core Zone, but is not subject to the active ground floor requirement. Under <br />previous zoning ordinance requirements, ground floor retail was required. However, the <br />DTPP allows for a broader range of uses on Main Street. The current policy to allow for <br />8.A. - Page 1