First Floor of Wizard Tower Zoned for Retail
“Now the entire road is lined with gaudy neon signs for familiar therapists and artisanal stirge candy.”
Changes to local zoning are leaving many within Hemmlot anticipating big changes to the landscape of the community. One of the more controversial changes, though, is allowing retail zoning on the first floor of residential buildings. “This seems to be a trend going around the county,” says Hemmlot Assistant Alderman Greis Ultabrand. “From Shireyard to Yardshire, we’re seeing commercial endeavors allowed in spaces that have been solely residential for decades. Just this week a basilisk yoga studio opened in the basement of the Artisan Lofts. Being turned to stone really helps to hold some of the more difficult positions.”
While the changes to Hemmlot are not nearly as extensive as those in other parts of County Jerring, the topic has become controversial none-the-less. Out-of-county developer, Lester Flipdeed, was quick to defend the trend to The Dungeon Tribune. “Most of these rezonings are simply to allow for 5 over 1s,” Flipdeed explains. “If they were that bad for the community, why would the government leaders that we bribed let us do it?” Those against the changes have been vocal in their dissent, citing aesthetic changes to the town that has been a familiar home to many families. “My entire life I’ve walked the cobblestone road from my quaint cottage to the fine oak stalls in the market, passing friendly neighbors sweeping their stoops along the way,” says “Ol’ Grandma” Tarte. “But now the entire road is lined with gaudy neon signs for familiar therapists and artisanal stirge candy.”
Winseed’s Tower in Old Town has become symbolic for those rallying against the changes to the town. Soon after the new zoning guidelines were approved, the trustees of the tower announced that its lobby, with its antique furniture, exquisite tapestries, and decorative masonry, would be turned into a Starbucks. “It isn’t right,” declares Silvaz Arthone, a resident of Old Town. “The lobby of (Winseed’s) Tower has welcomed some of the most famous and noble heroes to visit the county. It was in that room, fueled by mead, that the Fortuitous Four planned their assault on The Lichholme. And now, I fear, no part of it will escape branding. If Winseed himself hadn’t mysteriously disappeared during a mystical ritual, he wouldn’t allow this.”
The trustees of the tower, who all seem to be wearing expensive new cloths and riding the finest luxury horses, are imploring people to understand that the change was necessary. “None of us wanted to disturb the history of the tower,” says trustee spokesperson Gild Glitzfife. “But as trustees, we have to make the hard choices to make sure that the tower can be maintained, and that includes making sure that expenses can be met, even if the expenses are fraudulent.”