Sharing Space with Businesses

In the most recent story, Wendy brings up turning businesses into code enforcement when necessary.  This got me to thinking about the stretch of Nebraska I live near and the sorts of ways businesses carelessly use space that we all need to share.

The people I've spoken to over the years will complain about the car lots and pawn shops but always mention one or two that they don't mind for some reason.  Invariably, it is because the car lot or pawn shop keeps the building nice, doesn't let their merchandise spill out into public areas, keeps their customers and employees from impacting the residents, etc.  So maybe it isn't that we're really down on car sales or short-term collateral loans, but that we just don't like businesses that thoughtlessly trash our shared neighborhood.

In a short drive down Nebraska avenue, I can spot an auto sales company that parks cars on the city-maintained landscaping intended to help beautify the area.  They have killed most of the plants and destroyed the watering system.  Another has a clean lot but a chain link fence that is dented, rusty, and woven with broken plastic pipe.  Several businesses park cars on the sidewalk or fence their property in a manner that forces customers to park in non-legal ways that damage the area or affect pedestrians and bikes.  At least one business has so many uses in a single, small building, that the cars pile up on the rights of way and nearby neighbors side yards until no one can see traffic or use the sidewalk.   

Do we turn them into code enforcement?  If we do that, will we create a sense that the residents "hate businesses"?  Should we look to the Business Guild of Seminole Heights to be our liaison with these businesses and maybe convince them to consider their impact on the quality of life in the area?  

I believe that both the residents and the businesses stand to gain a lot by sharing the space respectfully.  That means residents need to be a little forgiving of customers parking at the curb in the neighborhood, increased street traffic, and increased noise.  Businesses need to be mindful of the impact they are having in the area, not just by following the city codes, but also by willingly adjusting their practices to minimize their negative impact.    

What do you think?