A level playing field - consistent rules for all players on the playing field is a principle that all embrace. Yet, when a new business considers locating on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, they will discover that the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan requires that they operate with significantly fewer business hours that many of the other businesses on the Boulevard. This certainly constitutes an uneven playing field. On August 6 (see below for details), you are invited to share your view regarding updating the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan to move in the direction of a more level playing field for all merchants.

Background:

Working in collaboration with the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, progress has been made on the effort to revisit the section of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan that mandates that businesses cannot be open between the hours of 9PM and 7AM. As we all know, many businesses on the Boulevard operate outside those hours. A few businesses existed before the Specific Plan was adopted in August, 1992. They are "grandfathered" and not limited by the Specific Plan. A few other businesses have gone through the very expensive process ($15,000 - $25,000) of getting Waivers or Exceptions to the Plan. Several other businesses operate out of compliance with the Specific Plan limitations.

It is TERA's position that the current limitations in the Specific Plan are unduly limiting. These limitations can be a deterrent to new businesses, especially locally owned businesses, which are our preferred type of business. The change can also bring those businesses who rely on the longer business hours, but do not have waivers, into compliance with the Plan without huge and in some cases unsustainable fees for waivers. This also creates a situation where enforcement of allowed business hours is more likely to occur.