Help shape the future of Piedmont’s commercial districts by reviewing and sharing feedback on proposed performance standards for potential future restaurants, cafes, hair salons, fitness studios, and other businesses along Grand and Highland Avenues by completing a brief online survey.

The proposed standards are part of an initiative to streamline permitting processes for new businesses and would apply only in areas already zoned for commercial and mixed-use activity. Currently, any business wanting to open in Piedmont must receive a “conditional use permit” and go through public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.

With the proposed zoning updates, certain types of businesses would be permitted “by right” in commercial and mixed-used zones along Grand and Highland Avenues. Businesses in these categories would be able to open 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 their operations are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

The initial proposed list of business types eligible for “by right” permits 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

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.

The feedback survey is available at piedmont.ca.gov/BusinessStandardsSurvey and will remain open until January 20.

Proposals based on community input and Planning Commission, City Council discussions

These proposals were developed based on a series of Planning Commission and City Council study sessions, as well as input from over 600 community members via an online survey conducted in summer 2024.

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 [email protected].