By John Lang — programs, News
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Morgan Hill has responded by developing an Economic Development Recovery plan.
On May 29, 2020, the City Manager and City Attorney announced actions exercising their discretion to ease enforcement of certain City regulations in order to encourage economic activity and to speed up recovery from the shelter in place orders.
Specifically, they have:
Suspended enforcement of minimum parking requirements in shopping centers and commercial districts to allow the use of outdoor areas for retail merchandise and pick-up, and for expanded restaurant space.
Suspended enforcement of limitations on hours of operation in order to allow commercial and industrial operations to continue with social distancing—this suspension does not apply to hours of operation for bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Suspended enforcement of construction hours beginning at 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday for certain large construction projects, except in public rights-of-way. Home remodels in residential neighborhoods are not included.
Created streamlined processes to modify design review approvals for projects impacted by COVID-19. This will allow developers to value-engineer approved projects and to modify designs to allow social distancing. Fees for this streamlined process will be waived.
Created a streamlined process for encroachment permits to allow the use of City rights-of-way and other public spaces to expand retail and restaurant operations to allow social distancing. Fees for this streamlined process will be waived.
In addition to these actions, the City is actively preparing additional economic recovery tools:
Developed a “Morgan Hill Ready” handbook with protocols and strategies for reopening by industry. The handbook will be mailed to every business that holds a business license, distributed electronically, and posted on the City’s website.
Developed a “Morgan Hill Dine al Fresco” guide for restaurants with information about how to obtain a temporary encroachment permit for City-owned/regulated sidewalks and streets from the City and amend necessary permits from the County Health Department and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). This will allow restaurants to meet physical distancing requirements by expanding their footprint outdoors onto private outdoor spaces or City’s public right-of-way, like sidewalks or on street parking spaces. This authority does not override private property CCR’s where applicable.
Implement a “Morgan Hill Open for Business” comprehensive preliminary review with representatives from Fire, Police, Planning, Building, Engineering, Housing, Economic Development, and Public Services the first Monday of the month, starting in July. This once-a-month meeting will provide businesses an opportunity to ask questions and get immediate feedback on conceptual plans to identify potential issues or concerns and receive direction at the early stages of project design.
Modify the City’s Parklet Pilot Program to ease requirements and expectations of parklets, allowing businesses to utilize their adjacent parking space for business expansion. The businesses will be required to use an approved traffic safety device to create a barrier to protect space users from vehicles and comply with ADA requirements without having to build a deck. The City has purchased a large quantity of traffic safety devices which it has deployed downtown.
Work with partners to develop and implement a “Buy Local Campaign” creating awareness of local retailers and goods to encourage local spending.
Review freeway sign regulations and identify improvements to support existing and new commercial development.
Develop design guidelines for new developments to require construction of telecommunications facilities and wireless technology in new developments.
Reach out to all shopping center owners to inform them of the suspension of enforcement of parking and other regulations that interfere with the ability to use outdoor spaces for retail and restaurant space.
Work with property owners that have vacant storefronts and match spaces with retailers that are looking for opportunities to create displays to promote their business. This will provide retailers that lost their space or do not have brick and mortar presence to have a window presence while at the same time provide an opportunity to activate dark spaces.
Work with community partners and event organizers to develop and execute events that meet physical distancing requirements.
Work with property owners and artists to identify opportunities for murals throughout the City. The City will match interested artists with property owners interested in beautifying their blank walls.
Apply for federal grant dollars though the EDA CARES Act to enhance telecommunications capacity, with the goal of expanding infrastructure to residential and commercial areas in Morgan Hill by leveraging the City’s service contract for City facilities.
Prioritize tenant improvement applications for companies needing to rearrange equipment and change layout to meet physical distancing requirements.
Implement a business retention program, with immediate outreach to the top 100 employers and top 100 sales tax generators with a focus to ascertain the business’ immediate two-year plans, and develop a “lease term-expiration” schedule to support future retention efforts.
Reach out to the Downtown property and business owners for the purpose of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for property improvements, marketing, and promotion for Downtown. If there is sufficient support, the City will provide a loan to hire a consultant to initiate engineering documents and hold an election, similar to the process used for the creation of the Tourism Business Improvement District.
Cease temporary permit requirements of City-owned parks use by fitness and recreation businesses, allowing businesses that hold a current business license and currently own or lease commercial space to use park facilities as long as their fitness/recreation classes do not conflict with State or County SIP orders.