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8.A. - Page 2 <br /> A recent study by the International Council of Shopping Centers entitled "Office Worker <br /> Retail Spending in a Digital Age," found that the office worker spent on average $129.18 <br /> per week in businesses within close proximity to work. The study was based on a <br /> survey of over 4,000 officer workers and excluded transportation and on-line spending. <br /> 21 % of this spending was on food in nearby restaurants and other food establishments. <br /> Consequently, staff believes some infusion of new office workers will contribute to the <br /> downtown economy, and a marketing plan to capture those dollars should be part of the <br /> City's economic plan. <br /> The current proposal is based on the concept that by adding additional office uses, <br /> Downtown may be better positioned to attract new retail uses because of the additional <br /> foot traffic that would be generated. Downtown restaurants may also benefit from the <br /> presence of additional office workers in the area. The goal is to make the downtown a <br /> more active space and increase foot traffic. In addition to allowing for additional office <br /> space, the City will be taking a more aggressive approach when it comes to code <br /> enforcement. Both business, restaurants and retail need to ensure they are in <br /> compliance with the City's codes and regulations and in walking through the downtown <br /> a mix of businesses are out of compliance. The dialogue regarding this amendment with <br /> the planning commission and staff has heightened this awareness and the City <br /> Manager has directed staff to talk a more aggressive approach. The analysis section of <br /> this report expands more on code enforcement efforts. <br /> This item was brought before the Planning Commission on April 3 and May 1, 2012. On <br /> April 3, 2012, the Commission expressed reservations, suggested modifications, <br /> recommended additional outreach to the Downtown Business Group (DBG), and <br /> requested additional information on recent economic development activities undertaken <br /> by staff. Staff inet with the DBG, modified the proposal to address concerns that were <br /> expressed by the DBG and Planning Commission, and returned to the Planning <br /> Commission on May 1. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> On May 1, 2012, the Planning Commission by resolution, recommended amendments <br /> to the Downtown Precise Plan that would allow limited amount of office uses to go into <br /> first floor spaces in the retail core (the Entertainment District and Downtown Core areas <br /> requiring Active Ground Floor Uses) during periods of high vacancy. The proposed <br /> amendment would allow office uses to go into restricted areas, if the applicant can <br /> identify at least 40,000 square feet of verifiable vacant retail space. This is about 10% <br /> of the total Downtown retail supply of 406,975 square feet. These office uses would be <br /> subject to a Use Permit, which could conditionally allow office uses to operate in a <br /> ground floor space in the retail core for no more than 5 years. Should vacancies persist, <br /> at the conclusion of the 5 year term, the office tenant could submit for a one year <br /> extension for each year they can demonstrate at least 40,000 square feet of vacant <br />