Live-Work Planning and Design by Dolan Thomas

Author:Dolan, Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781118144060
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Published: 2012-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

Depending on proximity type, a live/work unit that is a live-with (i.e., contained within a single common atmosphere) is appropriate in all locations except industrial zones, where its resemblance to a residence is likely to make it a target for residential reversion. Many cities require that in residential zones, a live/work unit, regardless of proximity type, must conform to home occupation regulations with respect to employees, walk-in trade, and so on. An example would be a leftover storefront building in the heart of a residential area, as in the James Avenue Compound case study later in the chapter.

To reiterate, live/work, a hybrid that can go either way, is best regulated with great care in industrial zones if it is permitted at all. Typically, a live/work unit, being the most flexible of types, does not adversely affect its environs and can function when work activity ceases or living activity ceases. However, if work activity ceases and the project is located in an existing commercial/industrial neighborhood, this residential reversion can wreak havoc if imported NIMBYs begin to complain about their established neighbors' heretofore accepted and permitted activities, with the result being that the established businesses are often driven out.

A live/work unit that is a live-near or live-nearby proximity type is usually a townhouse style unit or perhaps a liner unit in a larger building in a higher intensity urban context (transect zones T-5 and T-6). As noted in Table 6-9, such a building is most appropriate on a commercial street, where the ground floor might become retail one day, if not immediately. In this case, of course, walk-in trade and employees would be both permitted and expected.

CASE STUDY: JAMES AVENUE LIVE-WORK COMPOUND

Type of Live-Work: Mostly home occupation at present

Proximity Type: Live-with, live-near, and live-nearby

Approval Status: Home Occupation (no maximum square footage requirements in Oakland); storefront is a live-work unit, having been legally converted from a portion of a “building originally designed for commercial or industrial use” per city and state law.

Location: Rockridge Neighborhood of Oakland, California

Walkscore: 88 (very walkable)

Year Built: 1930, renovated 2000, new outbuilding (garden house live-nearby) 2001

Architects: Thomas Dolan Architecture/Jennifer Cooper Designer

Developer: Thomas Dolan and Jennifer Cooper

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