[RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto

[Jonathan W. Ebbeler]

Bruce -
 
I will respectfully disagree with your position and would like to address
some factual inaccuracies.
 
MUTC does not prevent a gas station any more than it prevents a convenience
store.  A gas station is permissible under Special Exemption per page 70 of
the January 2004 MNCPPC MUTC guidelines.  This is not a situation of it
being permissible - it is that it is not a supported use.
 
To your other point, the convenience store option has been presented and
dismissed by MUTC and the Council.  Jey has pursued this option earlier this
year and neither MUTC nor the Town Council has an appetite to see the site
developed out as such.
 
As a small business owner for close to 15 years, I am personally VERY
business friendly and am doing everything possible to encourage current and
future economic vitality in our town.  Unfortunately this means making tough
choices and adhering to the principles of good urban design regarding use
and occupancy.  I would encourage you to stop by your commercial neighbor,
Arnold and Arnold, to inquire as to their opinion on best practices.  They
are a wealth of information and I for one am grateful to have such competent
resources in town.
 
Urban design and best practices are what defines successful commercial
sectors from those that fail.  Hyattsville has had recent experience with
both and I would venture a guess that if they encouraged convenience stores
and gas stations over stores like Busboys, Yes Organic, Chipotle, Elevation
Burger etc., that EYA would not be experiencing the same degree of success
that they currently enjoy.
 
MUTC's goal is to get people out of their cars and to be pedestrian
friendly; gas stations and convenience stores, unfortunately, are
antithetical to that end.  The zoning permits it under special exception; I
do not think a rational argument can be made for why the town needs another
gas station when there is already an Exxon in place 2 blocks north.
 
I would hope that as a business and commercial property owner yourself I am
sure you can understand that letting a building go into such derelict
condition that it encourages condemnation is hardly the mark of a good
commercial partner.
 
Best,
 
Jonathan
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: bruce.wernek at mindspring.com
<http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk> <mailto:bruce.wernek
at mindspring.com <http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk> >   
  To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
<http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk> <mailto:towntalk at
riverdale-park.org <http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk> > 
  Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:35 PM
  Subject: [RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto
 
 
  All
 
 
 
  I think it's time for the MUTC and the Town to work with Jey so that all
parties benefit.  The main problem with Jey's Auto is that he cannot build a
gas station because of MUTC guidelines.  These guidelines are nothing more
than that.  If the MUTC wanted, they could approve a proposal which would
preserve the intent of the guidelines while satifying Jey desire for a gas
station.
 
 
 
  Here's the problem.  Jey wants a gas station and convenience store.  The
MUTC guidelines say no to the gas station, but the convenience store is OK.
With a little creative thinking and flexibility we can make something happen
without involving the Town.  Consider the following.  The MUTC approves the
gas station/convenience store with the following provisions.
 
 
 
  1.  The convenience store frontage is along Rt 1.
 
  2.  The convenience store frontage and facade conforms with the MUTC
guidelines.
 
  3.  Signage conforms with the MUTC guidelines.  
 
  4.  The gas station section is behind the convenience store and cannot be
seen from Rt 1. 
 
  5.  Egress to the gas station would be on either side of the convenience
store.
 
 
 
  This will work and I think Jey will go for it.  Lets stop acting like
lawyers.  Stop worrying about the words and worry about the reasons the
words were written.  This is a low risk approach with a small sacrifice.
Alternatively, the Town can purchase the property along with all of the
potential environmental issues that go with it.  When are we going to get
business friendly in this Town?  Hyattsville did and look what's happening.
What are we waiting for?   It's a no brainer for me.
 
 
 
  Bruce
 

 

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