DATE: August 28, 2025
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Elizabeth Blanton, Senior Planner and Sachiko Riddle, Assistant Planner
SUBJECT
Title
Business-Friendly Hayward Project Update: Work Session to Review the Summary of Best Practices Report, Analysis of Hayward Codes and Practices, Downtown Commercial Analysis, and Outreach Summary for the Business-Friendly Hayward project.
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Planning Commission review the staff report and provide feedback on the Business-Friendly Hayward Project based on the Summary of Best Practices Report, Analysis of Hayward Codes and Practices, Downtown Commercial Analysis, and Outreach Summary.
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SUMMARY
The Business-Friendly Hayward Project is a joint effort of the City’s Planning and Economic Development Divisions, which aims to complete a series of Strategic Roadmap projects and Downtown Specific Plan implementation programs by focusing on the following objectives:
• Streamline entitlement and permitting processes for desirable businesses across the City’s commercial and mixed-use zoning districts.
• Activate vacant and underutilized properties and storefronts Downtown.
To date, the project team has reviewed best practices from nearby jurisdictions, analyzed Hayward’s codes and practices related to commercial and mixed-use districts, conducted a commercial analysis of the Downtown area, and facilitated a series of outreach efforts aimed at soliciting feedback from businesses, the community, and other stakeholders. At this work session, staff is requesting feedback from the Planning Commission on the following:
1. Are there any recommendations from the Analysis of Hayward Codes and Practices Report that you do not believe are appropriate for Hayward?
a. Making beer/wine sales more permissible.
b. Allowing small scale live entertainment activities with a simplified permitting process.
c. Identifying specified entertainment zones that potentially include open carry alcoholic beverages.
d. Allowing Accessory Commercial Units on residential properties in select locations Downtown and along Mission Boulevard.
e. Are there other land uses or land use activities that should be allowed?
2. Are there any other business types or land uses the City should consider streamlining the permitting process for?
Based on the feedback received from the Planning Commission and City Council, staff will propose potential revisions to the Municipal Code, which will be drafted and presented to stakeholders for review later this year.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Best Practices Summary
Attachment III Analysis of Hayward Codes and Practices and Downtown Commercial Analysis
Attachment IV Outreach Summary