www.RiverRoad-SantaClaraPlan.org 3 <br />Business Outreach <br />Regardless of whether business owners and employees reside in the neighborhood, they have a stake in <br />the outcome of the neighborhood planning processes. However, they are often tied to their work place <br />and may not be able to attend conventional neighborhood outreach events. With this in mind, the project <br />team made a concerted effort to reach out to businesses in the River Road and Santa Clara <br />neighborhoods. <br />In November and December, neighborhood volunteers teamed with City and County staff to conduct <br />door-to-door outreach. These pairs spoke with nearly three hundred businesses along River Road and in <br />other commercial areas throughout the two neighborhoods. They promoted the neighborhood planning <br />process, conducted interviews, and encouraged business owners and employees to get involved. The <br />results of the interviews are summarized below. <br />Land Use <br />Land use did not receive many comments from <br />the business owners or employees. The few <br />points of concern that did emerge were <br />limitations of zoning and frustrations with the <br />permitting process and signage regulations. <br />Transportation <br />Businesses offered many comments related to <br />transportation during the canvassing. Traffic <br />along River Road was the most common <br />transportation-related concern. Respondents <br />said they had witnessed minor accidents as cars <br />tried to turn in and out of parking lots. A handful <br />of respondents supported another bridge over <br />the river to ease congestion. The River Road – <br />Randy Pape Beltline interchange was identified <br />as a problem area for traffic congestion. <br />Economic Development <br />Many respondents said they enjoyed the <br />neighborhood and liked the businesses around <br />them. There was interest expressed in a <br />business association for the River Road area to <br />support communication between businesses. A <br />recurring concern among respondents was the <br />effect that homelessness had on their <br />operations. Comments on the topic of <br />homelessness are discussed further under Other <br />Topics below. <br />Other Topics <br />There were many valuable comments that <br />reflected widespread views but did not fit into <br />one of the main plan topic areas. Homelessness <br />was the most common concern among business <br />respondents, and some expressed frustration at <br />the lack of services. Attitudes reflected a mix of <br />compassion and frustration with dealing with <br />issues that business owners attributed to the <br />homeless population, such as trash and <br />vandalism around their businesses. Along these <br />lines, business canvassing revealed concerns <br />about graffiti, crime, and a desire for increased <br />police presence. <br />March 12, 2018, Work Session – Item B