Small Business Committee
The Small Business Committee was an ad hoc committee that is not currently meeting. Below, you'll find resources they collected while serving:
Mission Statement:
To educate existing and potential business and commercial property owners on Gearhart commercial zoning, available small business resources, and Gearhart Comprehensive Plan commercial development goals.
This page will be populated with small business resources and educational material specifically for Gearhart businesses. The goal of the Gearhart Small Business Committee is to:
- Create a small business resources webpage on our city website where businesses can find the help and resources they need during good and bad economic times.
- To work with existing small businesses and potential new businesses in understanding the commercial zoning in Gearhart and how it fits in with our comprehensive plan and residential character.
- Explore ways to attract businesses that can benefit the community and fit in with the character of Gearhart as defined in our Comprehensive Plan.
The Small Business Committee is not actively meeting at this time.
Important Links:
Gearhart Comprehensive Plan Commercial Goals Page 4
Gearhart Zoning Code including Commercial Zoning
TYPES OF COMMERCIAL ZONING IN GEARHART:
C1: Neighborhood Commercial Zone
C2: General Commercial Zone
C3: Higher Intensity Commercial Zone
Helpful Resources:
Clatsop County Small Business Development Center
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce
Oregon Small Business Advocate
U.S. Small Business Administration
Gearhart Business License Application
Gearhart Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program
Small Business Grants for Minorities
Click zone headings below for zone maps!
C1: Neighborhood Commercial Zone
Purpose: To provide for the location of needed small businesses and services in the City Center for the convenience of nearby residents. Businesses are intended to fit into the residential character of the neighborhood and not create either architectural or traffic conflicts.
Outright Permitted Uses:
- Retail businesses primarily for the convenience of nearby residents, these uses are limited to; grocery, drug, barber, and beauty shops.
- Home occupations (see Section 6.060).
- Government facility limited to post office.
- Offices.
- Manufactured dwelling, recreation vehicle or construction office used during the construction period of a permitted or conditional use for which a building permit has been issued, but not to exceed one year.
- Soda Fountain.
Conditional Permitted Uses:
- Neighborhood Cafe (subject to the standards of Section 8.050 (5).
- Variety stores.
Purpose: The purpose of the C2 General Commercial Zone is to provide for a broad range of commercial uses and activities to serve the needs of the City and its visitors. The General Commercial Zone shall provide for a broader range of commercial development than may be located in the C1 zone.
Outright Permitted Uses:
- An outright or conditional use in the C1 Zone.
- Personal business service establishments such as barber or beauty shop, closes cleaning or funeral home.
- Professional, financial, business and medical offices.
- Retail business establishments excluding new and used car, boat, recreational vehicle or manufactured dwelling sale.
- Technical, professional, vocational and business schools.
- Membership organizations such as union, lodge hall, club or fraternal buildings.
- Eating and drinking establishments.
- Automobile repair establishment.
- Building materials sales yard.
- Cabinet, carpenter, woodwork, sheet metal shops or similar establishments.
- Mini-storage warehouses or similar storage areas.
- Wholesale storage and distribution facilities including cold storage.
- Non-public recreation facilities.
- Public service and public utility use.
- Veterinary hospital: including grooming and in-facility boarding, with no outside kennels.
- Feed Store/Garden Center.
- Single family dwelling, duplex, or Manufactured Dwelling in a accordance with Section 6.100.
- Home occupation (see Section 6.050).
- Family day care center of day care center.
- Residential home and Residential care facility.
- Manufactured dwelling, recreation vehicle or construction office used during the construction period of a permitted or conditional use for which a building permit has been issue, but not to exceed one year.
- Medical or Marijuana and Marijuana Infused Product Dispensary subject to:
- Dispensary must not be located within 1,000 feet of another marijuana dispensary nor within 1,000 feet of real property of a public or private elementary, secondary or career school, an established day care or preschool; nor student training facility such as dance studio, athlete, music and similar training facilities; nor public recreation facilities attended primarily by minors. ("Within 1,000 feet or less in every direction from a specified location or from any point on the boundary line of a specified unit of property)
- Dispensary must be authorized in accordance with ORS 475.314 and licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission OLCC.
Conditional Permitted Uses:
- Church or other religious structures.
- Amusement enterprises such as theater or bowling alley.
- Commercial recreation such as driving range or miniature golf course.
- Primary, elementary, junior or senior high schools; or a higher education institution.
- Community meeting buildings.
- Government facilities.
- Hospital, sanitarium, rest home, cursing or convalescent home.
- Hotel, motel, or other tourist accommodations.
- Triplex or multi family dwelling.
C3: Higher Intensity Commercial Zone
Purpose: The purpose of the C3 Higher Intensity Commercial Zone is to provide an area for the most intensive commercial uses.
- Contractor equipment storage yards or storage, rental and maintenance of equipment commonly used by a contractor.
- Mini-storage warehouses or similar storage areas.
- Wholesale storage and distribution facilities including cold storage.
- Manufactured dwelling, recreation vehicle or a construction office used during the construction period of a permitted or conditional use for which a building permit has been issued, but not to exceed one year.