6 ms·

This problem is entirely caused by Palo Alto's draconian zoning laws. Many companies like being in a mixed-use area (one that combines housing, office, and reta

This problem is entirely caused by Palo Alto's draconian zoning laws. Many companies like being in a mixed-use area (one that combines housing, office, and retail), but this is illegal in 99% of the city. So everyone fights to the death over the remaining 1%.

Filligree 10y ago
> This is illegal in 99% of the city. Wait, what? What's the logic behind this? Wouldn't this cause massive congestion?
- apsec112 10y ago
  Yes, yes it does: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/08/22/youre-not-dreaming-traffic-is-a-nightmare-in.html http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/08/22/youre-not... Here's an overview of this kind of zoning, and why it's terrible: http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html
- superuser2 10y ago
  People (particularly those with children) do not like to live among the foot traffic, noise, or any kind of traffic/signs of life associated with strangers making their way to and from businesses in a residential neighborhood. Businesses are excluded from residential areas to preserve this trait, which homeowners tend to view as a huge component of their homes' value.
  - unethical_ban 10y ago
    Then let developers buy plots of land and develop it as such.
  - hx87 10y ago
    I wonder how much the prevalence of skinny wood frame walls and sash windows in the US contribute to this issue--if houses were made of 2x6s with continuous insulation, or double 2x4 studs, or masonry, and had casement windows instead, I suspect people wouldn't mind the outside noise as much.
    - superuser2 10y ago
      True, but I think being in a closed-world snow globe where people feel comfortable letting their children walk around is a huge part of it. Excluding people who cannot afford homes in the neighborhood or cars to get there is a principal component of the "safety" strategy of suburbia. Add businesses and public transit to reach them, and that goes away.
gumby 10y ago
I started four companies in my homes in palo alto (two from an apartment complex, two from houses) and the city didn't care. Foot traffic and signs they care about, but most web businesses would be

Filligree 10y ago

> This is illegal in 99% of the city. Wait, what? What's the logic behind this? Wouldn't this cause massive congestion?

apsec112 10y ago
Yes, yes it does: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/08/22/youre-not-dreaming-traffic-is-a-nightmare-in.html http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/08/22/youre-not... Here's an overview of this kind of zoning, and why it's terrible: http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-zoning.html
superuser2 10y ago
People (particularly those with children) do not like to live among the foot traffic, noise, or any kind of traffic/signs of life associated with strangers making their way to and from businesses in a residential neighborhood. Businesses are excluded from residential areas to preserve this trait, which homeowners tend to view as a huge component of their homes' value.
- unethical_ban 10y ago
  Then let developers buy plots of land and develop it as such.
- hx87 10y ago
  I wonder how much the prevalence of skinny wood frame walls and sash windows in the US contribute to this issue--if houses were made of 2x6s with continuous insulation, or double 2x4 studs, or masonry, and had casement windows instead, I suspect people wouldn't mind the outside noise as much.
  - superuser2 10y ago
    True, but I think being in a closed-world snow globe where people feel comfortable letting their children walk around is a huge part of it. Excluding people who cannot afford homes in the neighborhood or cars to get there is a principal component of the "safety" strategy of suburbia. Add businesses and public transit to reach them, and that goes away.

gumby 10y ago

I started four companies in my homes in palo alto (two from an apartment complex, two from houses) and the city didn't care. Foot traffic and signs they care about, but most web businesses would be