Page 8 - Vallejo_Chamber_of_Commerce_Magazine_Winter_2019

COOPER’S CORNER

by James Cooper process where they face many questions, process. As a result of these meetings, the
Developing Vallejo is such as “Is the land or building zoned for the City of Vallejo has implemented numerous

Neither Fast Nor Easy idea?” If the answer is “no,” the developer changes that are starting to make a
might have to complete a minor or major
difference. These include clearer instructions
As President/CEO of the Vallejo Chamber use permit, which comes with additional at the beginning, friendlier service at the
of Commerce, I spend a lot of time on the fees and no guarantees. We have many counter, shorter process review timelines,
topic of development, not as a developer, departments, and each plan may have to and a simpler fee permit structure.
mind you; the Chamber’s role is more navigate through them all: Building, Public Even with the improvements, development
peripheral. We connect businesses to Works, Water, Flood & Wastewater, and in Vallejo takes time. We know that, as does
Fire. All departments assigned must sign
development information from local officials, off before the plan can be approved. the City of Vallejo, and we are all working
other businesses, and the public. We to make it better. The rules are the rules. We
hold public conversations that help shed This process is not fast, nor is it easy; it is, want them to be clear, easy to understand,
light on our development opportunities, however, required. Going through each step and able to be accomplished in a reasonable
lay bare our shortcomings, and catalyze can lengthen how long it takes to go from amount of time. The city wants the rules to
action to make processes better. And we idea to open door. The numerous steps be followed. When both
champion our community as a great place can complicate the process, which is where goals are accomplished,
to live, work, eat, sleep, stay, and play. the Chamber comes into the picture. For
the last 20 months, the Chamber has met all of Vallejo will benefit
However, we are not developers. Those who with the city’s senior management team from new businesses
do the actual work of development face involved in planning and permitting. Our opening in town. Want
many hurdles. They have to find a good role has been as stated above—to hold to know more? Contact
location for their idea, then take their plans public conversations that lead to a better, the Vallejo Chamber of
to City Hall and enter the development more efficient planning and permitting Commerce … today!

iRecreate LLC Aurora Genetics, LLC
Vallejo, CA 94591 • (707) 980-3235 Vallejo, CA 94591 • (707) 561-0461
www.irecreate.org salwachlala@gmail.com
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Virgie Giles Foundation
Vallejo, CA 94591 • (707) 556-3255 Vallejo, CA 94590 • (650) 291-2801
www.Dickeys.com www.VirgieGilesFoundation.org

Law Offices of Dana Dean 7-Eleven 39058
Benicia, CA 94510 • (707) 747-5206 Vallejo, CA 94591 • (707) 561-0940
www.DanaDean.com www.7-Eleven.com

Andrews Business Service M.A. Rohrer Concrete Construction
We would like Vallejo, CA 94590 • (707) 652-5060 Vallejo, CA 94590 • (707) 553-8980
www.ABService.co
conkretekid@sbcglobal.net
to welcome our Urban Design & Media Self-Help Federal Credit Union

new members Vallejo, CA 94591 • (831) 247-4337 Vallejo, CA 94590 • (877) 369-2828
www.UrbanDesign.media
www.Self-HelpFCU.org
who are Bambinos Restaurant Diavuno LLC
Vallejo, CA 94590 • (925) 435-2741 Oakland, CA 94612 • (844) 342-8866
dedicated to www.BambinosRestaurants.com www.Diavuno.com
the community Waterview Press Inyo Networks
Benicia, CA 94510 • (510) 823-0509 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 • (626) 221-1102
and you www.CarquinezMagazine.com www.InyoNetworks.com

6 Winter www.vallejochamber.com
6 Winter www.VALLEJOChamber.com Discover Our Community 2019/2020 7