Larry strongly supports the ban on BIG BOX stores or as called in this document below "formula businesses". This not only helps our small businesses succeed but the ban also helps keep our small town charm that Fairfax is known and loved for.
ARTICLE II: FORMULA BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS IN CC ZONES
§ 17.100.150 PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this article to limit the number of formula
businesses and formula restaurants in the CC zone to those that are
compatible with the needs of area residents, to preserve and encourage the
owner-operator character of the town’s business, and to promote the local
economy.
(Prior Code, § 17.30.010) (Ord. 695, passed 8-20-2002)
§ 17.100.160 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply
unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FORMULA BUSINESS. Any business that is required by a corporate
headquarters or franchise or other arrangement to maintain any of the
following: standardized services, decor, uniforms, architecture, signs or
other similar features. This shall include but not be limited to any retail
sales, service, visitor accommodation, wholesale or industrial operations
that was not in business within the Fairfax CC zone prior to April 1, 2000.
FORMULA RESTAURANT. Any restaurant devoted to the preparation and
offering of food and beverage for sale to the public for consumption either
on or off premises and which is required by contractual or other arrangement
to offer any of the following: standardized menus, ingredients, food
preparation, decor, uniforms, architecture or similar standardized features
that was not in business within the Fairfax CC zone prior to April 1, 2000.
(Prior Code, § 17.30.020) (Ord. 695, passed 8-20-2002)
§ 17.100.170 CONDITIONAL USE OF FORMULA BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS IN THE
CC ZONE.
Formula businesses and restaurants are permitted as conditional uses in
the CC zone if the following questions can be answered affirmatively. In
order for an approval to be granted pursuant to this chapter, findings,
based upon an affirmative answer to the following questions shall be made:
(A) Is this a pedestrian oriented business, consistent with the CC
zone?
(B) Is it likely that significant revenues from this business will
be derived from residents of the Upper Ross Valley, San Geronimo Valley and
Central West Marin areas?
(C) Is it likely the business will provide services and products
which satisfy the day-to-day needs of residents of the Upper Ross Valley,
San Geronimo Valley and Central West Marin areas?
(D) Is this a smaller scale business in terms of number of
customers commensurate with the character of the CC zone?
(E) Is the business consistent with the unique character of
Fairfax?
(F) Is it likely this business will provide services or products
which complement existing business in the CC zone?
(G) Is there a need for this type of business in town, given the
existence of the number of same or similar businesses in Fairfax?
(H) Is the proposed location of this business appropriate, given
the type of use and the proximity of same or similar businesses?
(I) Is it likely this business will not cause one or more existing
businesses in town to fail?
(J) Will this business keep residents from having to drive out of
town for day-to-day needs?
(Prior Code, § 17.30.040) (Ord. 695, passed 8-20-2002)
