It was just a couple weeks ago, when snow was still on the ground, that the unique and woman-owned Greenwood neighborhood business Yonder Bar was forced to close by the City due to complaints from surrounding households.
But now there is hope for a return: our D6 councilmember Dan Strauss and Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez introduced C.B. 120001, titled “Bringing Business Home, a Small Business Flexibility Bill”. This is an effort to provide additional support and a means towards economic recovery for small businesses adversely affected by current land use codes during the pandemic. After hearing from a small business impacted by the current rules, Strauss and González drafted legislation to adopt interim regulations to allow businesses greater flexibility to operate out of garages and residences.
Read more about the bill at this link. If this bill passes, Yonder Bar could reopen as soon as April 15.
If you would like to weigh in on this proposed legislation, here are two ways you can do so:
- Submit written testimony: Send an email in support of this bill and Yonder Bar to [email protected] (click the link to open a new email). Feel free to CC your local and at-large council members as well, but by sending it to the general council email, you ensure everyone who had a vote sees your letter.
- Voice your support “in person”: There are three opportunities for the public to voice their support of this bill and Yonder Bar – now all online! Sign up to provide public comment at this link. Sign-up opens two hours prior to the start of any meeting.
- Wednesday 3/10 at 9:30am (Land Use Committee meeting)
- Monday 3/15 at 2pm (Full Council): If the bill moves ahead out of committee on 3/10, there will be additional public comment and a Full Council vote this day to approve the bill!
