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In addition, retail is typically the last use to be developed in revitalized areas because it <br />relies on the daytime foot traffic generated by office uses, and evening foot traffic <br />generated by residential uses. While a mix of uses in Downtown are important, inactive <br />ground floor uses, such as office, take away from the pedestrian experience and affect <br />surrounding retail businesses. This has become especially apparent on Main Street <br />between Broadway and Middlefield. <br />On March 28, 2016, the City Council held a study session to consider the concerns <br />raised by the community about the loss of ground floor retail space in the Downtown <br />area, particularly on Main Street. The Council shared these concerns and the desire to <br />uphold the DTPP’s goal for a vibrant Downtown with a strong retail base. The Council <br />directed staff to initiate a Downtown Precise Plan Amendment requiring active ground <br />floor uses on Main Street between Middlefield and Broadway, to strengthen <br />enforcement for perceived inactive uses on the ground floor of retail businesses, to <br />consider how long non-conforming uses can remain dormant before the use can be re- <br />established, and to identify ways to incentivize new retail uses. <br />On August 16, 2016, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the <br />proposed amendments to the DTPP. The Commission was generally supportive of <br />staff’s proposal, including expanding the “Active Ground Floor Uses” requirement to <br />Main Street; however, the Commission recommended the following modifications: <br />1. Allow General Retail with a use permit rather than as a permitted use in the <br />Downtown General DTPP district (staff originally proposed General Retail “by <br />right” in the expanded area) <br />2. Establish a timeframe of 3-months for ceased nonconforming uses to be re- <br />established, rather than of 6-months <br />These recommendations are discussed in the report below. <br />PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br />With the goal of promoting active ground floor uses in Downtown, staff recommends the <br />following Amendments to the DTPP: <br />1. Expand the “Active Ground Floor Uses” requirement to Main Street <br />2. Incentivize active ground floor uses by: <br />a. Requiring a use permit for inactive ground floor uses based on criteria <br />b. Expanding where general retail and entertainment uses are permitted <br />c. Simplifying and modernizing the regulations by identifying active uses, <br />clustering similar uses, removing outdated uses, clarifying applicability, <br />and adding graphics <br />3. Establish a three month timeframe for a ceased nonconforming use to be re- <br />established <br /> <br />7.A. - Page 2