Our high-priced charrette organizer Andrés Duany was obviously fond of the idea of Urban Mixed Use. Trouble is, we have to tear half the town down and unaffordably rebuild according to his plan in order to achieve his holy grail. Or do we?

What if we were to start granting home business licenses for certain types of enterprises? The usual darlings, art, jewelry design, architectural studio, "tech" - "clean" or "green" pursuits? Of course, it would involve a series of hearings rather than only one hearing for the whole to-be-torn-down neighborhood, for one thing . . .

But, maybe that would not be so bad compared to another tear it all down and let it grow weeds for years idea. Maybe.