GILROY
– City Council has unanimously approved changes to industrial
zoning rules, giving businesses the right to open retail shops
where only wholesale operations previously were allowed.
GILROY – City Council has unanimously approved changes to industrial zoning rules, giving businesses the right to open retail shops where only wholesale operations previously were allowed.
The decision means Gilroy’s largest, and most controversial, furniture store now has a way to legitimize itself at City Hall.
“The furniture store war has not even started yet,” 5-Day Furniture store Co-owner Hai Tran said. “It’s the customer who is going to win on this one.”
If Tran can satisfy parking and other requirements at his building on the 500 block of East Luchessa Avenue, the veteran furniture dealer could have a wholesale operation and two retail spots in Gilroy.
After the city told Tran to cutback retail sales at the Luchessa complex to 12 days per year, Tran began work on a 40,000-square-foot warehouse at Tenth and Monterey streets that will become a purely retail operation.
Tran said Tuesday the new retail store is more than two weeks away from opening. Tran said he has already filed for permits for retail rights at the Luchessa site.
Specifically, City Council’s decision allows industrial shops to partition 75 percent or more of their wholesale operations. The remainder square footage can be used for retail sales if regular retail zoning requirements can be met.
Mayor Tom Springer voiced concerns that the new guidelines don’t completely shut the door on retailers who rent large industrial spaces only to use 25 percent of it for retail.
