The Los Altos City Council, in a midnight vote at its April 27 meeting, adopted an urgency ordinance that established a two-week moratorium on issuing building permits for mailing services in the downtown commercial retail sales zone.
Councilwoman Kris Casto voted against the urgency ordinance that was not on the council agenda.
"If we want to look at uses downtown, go ahead and look at uses downtown," Casto said. "But if someone is in the process, who's been given permission, that should be respected. Review the whole process, but don't pick out a person who's gone through the process."
Doug Farnham was close to opening Main Boxes Etc. at 171 Main St. He had been working with the city since February, he said.
Currently there is a mailbox business on First Street across from the post office. Mail Boxes Etc. would be the second private mailbox business downtown.
Councilman Francis La Poll brought up the item for the council to consider.
An ongoing concern of downtown watchers is the blend of service businesses vs. retail businesses that generate sales tax.
"The issue," Casto said, "is what makes a healthy downtown. I'm not prepared to do this on the spur of the moment."
There will be a hearing on the item at the council's 7 p.m. regular meeting next Tuesday at the city hall council chambers.