ESL Podcast 792 - Business Zoning

to be zoned - for a building or an area of land to be designated for a particular purpose, such as farming, housing, offices, stores, or industry

It's too bad the area down by the river has been zoned for office buildings. It would have made a beautiful public park.

retail - the sale of products and services to individuals, not to other businesses

Sharon doesn't have much experience in retail marketing. She has always worked for software companies that sell their products to other businesses.

zoning commission - the government organization or committee responsible for deciding how different areas of land should be used

They're asking the zoning commission to let them turn their house into a store.

urban planner - a person whose job is to help a city grow in a way that is good for people and the economy

Most urban planners agree that cities work better when people live in apartment buildings downtown, not in homes far from the center.

best suited - most appropriate for; best used for; ideally positioned for

With his talents in mathematics, he's best suited for a career in science or engineering.

development - a group of new houses or offices that are built in one place at the same time in a similar (or identical) style

Homes in this new development start at just $180,000.

mixed-use - an area of land that can be used for many purposes, such as a combination of residences (homes) and retail stores, or heavy industry and office buildings

Mixed-use neighborhoods create more interesting, functional cities.

commercial - related to business; related to buying and selling products and services

The organization is nonprofit, so it doesn't take part in commercial activities.

housing - residences; homes; buildings where people live, or the act of providing homes for people to live in

The average cost of housing is much higher in California than in Nebraska.

industrial - related to manufacturing and production of goods and services in large quantities, usually in a factory

The government needs to do a better job of regulating industrial activities to make sure they aren't polluting the air and water of those living nearby.

to run - to operate or manage a business; to implement and control a program

When we started this company, we had to run it out of our garage.

business license - official permission or authorization from the government to have and operate a business

The Small Business Development Center helps entrepreneurs get a business license.

ordinance - a law, regulation, or rule, especially from a city or county government

The city passed an ordinance against skateboarding on the sidewalks.

inspector - a person whose job is to examine a place of business to make sure it complies with (follows) the laws

How often do inspectors go into restaurant kitchens to make sure they're clean?

to fool - to trick someone; to make someone believe something that is not true

Yolanda has been really friendly lately, but she isn't fooling me. I know she just wants to get the promotion.

to live up to - to be as good as; to seem as good as or better than

We had the best vacation! I doubt anything we do in the future will be able to live up to that trip.

that's the spirit - a phrase used sarcastically when someone is being pessimistic (expecting the worst) and/or had a negative attitude that will make it difficult or impossible to succeed

A: There's no way I'll be able to pass the exam. It's just too hard.

B: That's the spirit.