Re:Who Americans spend their time with, by age
by AnthonyMouse on Friday December 11, 2020 @03:11PM
(#25390332)
> I don’t think there’s an easy fix for this, and that makes me sad.
I mean, there is, which is to reintroduce mixed use zoning. You essentially allow people to operate small businesses out of their homes.
This changes the dynamic very quickly because the change can happen before the new construction. As soon as it's allowed, someone buys a house on your street, or one of your existing neighbors does this, and it becomes a bistro from the hours of 6PM to 10PM. The neighbors gather there on a regular basis and get to know each other.
Then the house across the street converts a room to a convenience store, and now you can walk to a convenience store instead of having to drive to Walmart.
What makes these things viable is that the proprietor still lives in the house, which reduces their operating costs and allows them to compete with the big guys. But it's currently prohibited by zoning.
Really what might do something great is to have a new class of zoning designated for owner-occupied small businesses, i.e. you can operate a business there but only if someone who owns at least 30% of the business also lives there. Then rezone the majority of residential properties as that.
I mean, there is, which is to reintroduce mixed use zoning. You essentially allow people to operate small businesses out of their homes.
This changes the dynamic very quickly because the change can happen before the new construction. As soon as it's allowed, someone buys a house on your street, or one of your existing neighbors does this, and it becomes a bistro from the hours of 6PM to 10PM. The neighbors gather there on a regular basis and get to know each other.
Then the house across the street converts a room to a convenience store, and now you can walk to a convenience store instead of having to drive to Walmart.
What makes these things viable is that the proprietor still lives in the house, which reduces their operating costs and allows them to compete with the big guys. But it's currently prohibited by zoning.
Really what might do something great is to have a new class of zoning designated for owner-occupied small businesses, i.e. you can operate a business there but only if someone who owns at least 30% of the business also lives there. Then rezone the majority of residential properties as that.