San Mateo, California is considering restricting dotcom companies from leasing retail and restaurant space in the downtown area. Back when this web thing had just started booming, the little startup where I was working was renting retail space there. Looks like we were ahead of a trend that some folks don’t like. “Most people on city councils and planning commissions in these towns are older people. They are not coming from the new-economy perspective. The only things they see are a proliferation of SUVs, million-dollar homes that are tear-downs and Starbucks.” My view is that the current proliferation of dotcoms seeking space has nothing to do with San Mateo’s “small town” demise. The downtown was already in the midst of a major overhaul five ago, with chains like Starbucks and Noah’s Bagels moving in while mom & pop shops were shuttering up. In fact, having tech companies convert retail space may prevent downtown from turning into an outdoor shopping mall, which is what other neighboring downtowns have come to resemble. When I was working there I enjoyed being able to walk to restaurants, the drugstore, ATMs, and even my eye doctor.