[TheThinkTank] Bicycle Co-Ops & Zoning?

[PJ Park]

Hi Jake,

This is PJ with the Mt Rainier Bike Co-op.  We operate out of a city-owned
garage that is zoned municipal (or something, but) not commercial.  The city
supports our program, though anything that seems like "sales" we sort of
downplay to stay under the radar or we just call the money we receive
"donation".  The city treasurer said that for auditing purposes, the city or
any of its programs cannot make a profit or do any fundraising.  Things
bought (like locks or inner tubes) must be sold at cost, and other income
must be on donation basis.  Our image in the city is very positive, and the
city loves us because we work with kids, because we barely cost the city any
money for an excellent program--we won the city an "Award of Excellence for
program in a Medium-sized City" at the Maryland Municipal League.

So image and relations make a big difference, and labeling to an extent.  As
such a small operation, I think staying under the radar will not be a big
problem, especially if you follow the advise of all the other folks who
replied to you with great advise.

PJ

On Nov 14, 2007 11:29 AM, Chris Dougherty <chris at sacbikekitchen.org> wrote:

> Jake,
>
> I'll try to shed a somewhat professional light on this.  I'm a planner
> here in Sacramento.  Most cities have provisions for commercial uses in
> residentially zoned area, especially if the site was used for commercial in
> the past.  If you have your 501c3 this may work to your advantage.  Staff
> may understand the constraints of small non-profit support service and turn
> a blind eye.   I would call the local planning office to see what provisions
> if any exist.  Another thing to look at is this.  When was the site last
> operating as commercial?  We have a provision for non-conforming uses that
> if the use was abandoned for 1 year it will loose the legal non-conforming
> status.  If this site was recently a commercial use then you may be able to
> just set up shop.
>
> Hope this helps
> --
> Chris Dougherty
> Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen
> www.sacbikekitchen.org
>
>
> On 11/14/07, Macho Philipovich <macho at resist.ca> wrote:
> >
> > hey jake.  the derailer bicycle collective in denver had zoning problems
> > they weren't able to resolve, and had to move.  their website is at
> > http://www.derailerbicyclecollective.org/ if you want to get in touch
> > with them.  i think they have an archive of news pieces and
> > correspondence between them and the city when they were going through it
> > you could probably look at (not on the website).
> >
> > then again, i think the only reason it became a problem is because one
> > of the neighbours complained, so that may not be an issue for you.
> >
> > in canada, where our shop is, i know all you have to do is pay a small
> > fee and apply to the city for a "zoning variance" on the house, where
> > they basically put up posters to see if anyone in the neighbourhood has
> > a problem with it.  if no one does, that particular building can is
> > exempt from certain zoning regulations.  i'm not sure if it works the
> > same way south of the border.
> >
> > good luck,
> > macho
> >
> > Jake Liefer wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >  I operate a small bike Co-op in a small, run down town called Beaver
> > > Falls, PA. We're looking into purchasing a location and think we've
> > > found the perfect spot. It's a former business / house with a three
> > > car garage and a large glass storefront area. The only problem is that
> >
> > > it's zoned residential even though it used to be a business many years
> > > ago.  The street is pretty run down, with three of the four
> > > 'neighbors' being vacant housing, so I'm not too worried about
> > > neighbors complaining about it. I'd like to paint our logo on the
> > > garage but I'm afraid that it my draw too much attention from the
> > > zoning people.
> > >  Do any of your co-ops operate in non-commercialy zoned space? Have
> > > you had any problems arise because of it?
> > > Thanks,
> > > Jake
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Thethinktank mailing list
> > > Thethinktank at lists.bikecollectives.org
> > >
> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Thethinktank mailing list
> > Thethinktank at lists.bikecollectives.org
> >
> > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Thethinktank mailing list
> Thethinktank at lists.bikecollectives.org
>
> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
>
>


-- 
PJ Park
Mount Rainier Bike Co-op
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mrbikecoop
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/pipermail/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org/attachments/20071114/4375a9b8/attachment.htm