Re: Starting a space - how to locate property & mentors

[Will]

SH,

Coworking spaces should be allowable as a Business use in the zoning code of whatever area you are looking at. Assembly only comes into play when the space is specifically for gathering groups of people together for performances or events. Incidental gatherings aren't really considered.

Disclaimer: I have no idea where you are and what the local codes say. Check with an architect in your area for an opinion too.

Will Hurd

On Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:47:55 PM UTC-4, SH wrote:

Just joined the group. Thanks for all the help being provided here.

I'm working my way towards opening a space. From what I understand such spaces have to be zoned for assembly usage. How does one go about locating such rentals in Bay Area/Silicon Valley?

Also, are there any meetups in the area which facilitate interactions with space owners who would like to mentor?

Regards,
SH

[Jerome Chang]

Sorry, but, not every zoning area wants offices, as much as we'd all like to think that everyone loves coworking [offices].  In particular, offices are not always welcome in ground floor, retail spaces because they typically don't contribute to all-day, vibrant foot traffic.

Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505 (office)

--
Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
 
 

[Jacob Sayles]

And you can't open a space in single family zoning.  We looked at a cool church a long time ago but turns out churches are single family too.  How you get anything other then a church to fit into such a large space with that kind of zoning limits is beyond me.  

Jacob

---
Office Nomads - Individuality without Isolation
http://www.officenomads.com -  (206) 323-6500

[Jerome Chang]

Assembly is an occupancy use, not a "zoning" issue.

Once you have a "high density" use, then assembly CAN be calculated, but it's up the architect the Building Dept who determine that.  For example, restaurants typically are assembly, although on the lighter side than, say, a concert hall.

Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505 (office)

On Oct 25, 2012, at 1:44 PM, SH <evergre...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Will. I'm in the San Jose area.
I'm trying to locate available rental properties online and am a bit lost on the zoning. Essentially, I'd like to operate a co-work space but at the same time would like to open it up for startup related events like hackathons, barcamps etc.  Not quite sure if those require "assembly" zones.

Regards,
SH

[Jerome Chang]

Look for zoning that is specifically labelled "commercial/office" or similar.  Anything outside of that is a gray area.

Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505 (office)

On Oct 25, 2012, at 1:50 PM, SH <evergre...@gmail.com> wrote:

me too..which brings me back to my original question, is there an easier way to locate a property that allows running a co-work space?
Thanks for all your inputs.

Regards,
SH

[Anca Mosoiu]

I've found that the local zoning office (here in Oakland, CA) very helpful when I was trying to figure out if I could run my coworking space in the storefront I had selected.    They asked a few questions about what we were doing (meetings, workshops, office work, technology services) and not doing (assembling computers, lasercutting, manufacturing) and were able to quickly tell me answers.

It's best if you go to them with a list of properties so you can get your answers all at once.

Cheers,

Anca.

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Anca Mosoiu | Tech Liminal

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