I checked and it turned out that “people” are a pretty heterogeneous group and regularly different groups want different things.

It would be terrible loss to convert those business spaces into residential. One or two could be changed, as retail needs change over time, but removing possible retail and third space from near people's homes means less walkable neighborhoods.

Where I live, we have short term reuse laws that allow retail spaces to be used for residential, social, or other uses on a fixed basis. Typically a few years. The idea being to review the reassignment when the local needs change.

We get a lot of kindergartens that use these spaces, but also pharmacies, social clubs, and offices. Easy to move in and out.

Why do the ground floors have to be designated by the government as retail or residential? Is it impossible to say it can be either, as long as the requirements for whichever one (e.g. ventilation, fire safety) are met?

People are complaining about mixed use zoning? Geez, there's already a fair amount of mixed use along Taraval anyways. A real common narrative was that the folks in the Parkside don't want to turn their neighborhood into Manhattan (lol). The other one was the staunchly anti-transit narrative pushed by the guy that owns Great Wall Hardware on 28th, Albert Chow. That guy publicly fought tooth and nail against putting boarding islands up along Taraval (the Examiner got some choice quotes).

Anyways, it's been a hot moment since I've paid attention, but years ago the guy that owned the hardware store on 44th Ave tried to convert into a mixed use building. I don't remember a lot of objection, but then the real estate market tanked and he went out of business. The apartments got built at least…