our town st helena: converting empty malls and big box stores means changing zoning laws

Converting Empty Malls and Big-Box Stores into Affordable Housing Means Changing Zoning

A year of Covid means that we’ve learned to work, shop, learn and recreate virtually. The result is empty office buildings, hotels and malls. We desperately need more housing, especially affordable housing, so it’s only logical to convert those empty structures into housing. But zoning laws are standing in the way of making an easy building conversion.