Northwood Councilman Dave Gallaher, chairman of the Economic Development Committee, wants to loosen the new standards of the Central Business District to attract more businesses.

Some of the regulations, he said, are too expensive and hinder new business development.

“What we have to do is revisit the Central Business District because we raised our standards when the economy was falling back on our heels,” said Gallaher. “We should just adjust it a little bit and try and get businesses in the city so at least we have something rather than raising the bar.”

The Central Business District’s new standards, he said, are a bit too restrictive at a time when businesses are tightening their belts.

Requirements on the outward appearance of buildings, for instance, or signage, should be relaxed to make the local economy more competitive, he said.

“These were great ideas at the time. We didn’t want just square buildings but buildings with an architectural design. These are improvements businesses have to make as a result of the Central Business District’s regulations. We can’t impose the regulations on empty buildings. Right now, we have space available. So why make it more difficult to fill the space. Let’s get back to basics, give businesses every advantage to become successful.”

He would like to see the city first attract businesses, then set goals for them to reach to make improvements and meet the higher standards.

“I think we have to back up a little bit and first try to generate business, maybe give them time to get started, let them know what we want eventually. Then we can improve on what we have. I don’t think right now is the time to be raising the bar. We should try and locate businesses, which will come in and put their best foot forward. Eventually, we would like to revisit the Central Business District theme and the changes that it incorporates, but changes in such a way that we’re not hurting businesses to become functional,” he said.

“When you drive up and down Woodville Road, the question you have to ask yourself is, `Are we after businesses with great architectural designs of their storefronts, or do we want just good businesses?’ The restrictions we’re putting on businesses are not making them more competitive, but more pleasing to the eye.  The bottom line is we need new businesses.”

Gallaher said he plans to discuss loosening the District’s restrictions with the Planning Commission, the zoning inspector and city council, which would have to approve the proposal.

I would like to sit down with the Planning Commission and the zoning inspector and a host of other people to talk about this,” he said. “There’s a lot of steps here, but it’s an idea.”

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed