Support Local Business
A thriving local economy starts with keeping storefronts filled, businesses supported, and daily necessities within reach for every resident. Pleasant Hill has the bones of strong commercial corridors but needs a more active approach to attract and retain the businesses that make a city livable. These proposals give the city practical tools to reduce vacancies, welcome new businesses, and protect what residents depend on.
Support Commercial Occupancy & Small Businesses
Advocate for a Pleasant Hill Commercial Vacancy Registry. Have city staff/planner research if a vacancy fee would be appropriate to help fill storefronts while using raised funds to support small businesses.
Establish a Commercial Vacancy Task Force. This group would meet bi-annually, maps every empty storefront and works with the Chamber of Commerce to actively recruit replacement tenants, and report publicly on progress.
Champion a pilot Storefront Activation Program. This would include licensing vacant spaces to pop-up vendors, rotating food concepts, and seasonal markets on short-term agreements to generate foot traffic and keeping corridors alive while permanent tenants are found. San Jose’s program filled more than 40 vacant storefronts within 18 months.
Actively support a mural program shaped by residents and local artists. Beautifying utility boxes, blank walls, and other overlooked surfaces with community murals makes everyday walks more pleasing for residents and makes Pleasant Hill more vibrant and worth stopping in. Cities like Walnut Creek have shown that public art draws foot traffic that supports local shops and restaurants, the same businesses that fund the services Pleasant Hill residents depend on.
Make Opening a Business in Pleasant Hill Easy
Work to cut permit approval times for new businesses moving into vacant spaces in half within two years. Walnut Creek now offers a 90-minute virtual Commercial Express Review for certain commercial tenant improvements so that projects can be approved in a single meeting. Pleasant Hill should build a comparable fast-track lane for businesses filling long-vacant storefronts.
Ensure any ‘Choose Pleasant Hill’ local purchasing campaigns include District 4. Partner with the Chamber of Commerce to celebrate areas beyond downtown. We need a renewed focus on District 4 businesses to drive foot traffic and remind residents of all we have to offer.
Prioritize Daily Necessities & Essentials
Push to establish Community Anchor Zoning protections. This would preserve space in District 4’s commercial corridors for the businesses residents depend on for daily life: full-service grocery, pharmacy, medical care, childcare, and affordable dining. As national chains exit California, cities that do not plan proactively risk becoming food and pharmacy deserts for residents without reliable transportation.
Work with property owners and the Chamber to actively recruit essential-service businesses to District 4. This could be accomplished through reduced permit fees, city-facilitated lease introductions, and direct outreach to grocery and pharmacy operators evaluating Bay Area locations.
Advocate for appropriately sized mixed-use zoning in the City. This would allow live-work units and small creative businesses above ground-floor retail that help limit vacancies long-term.