[RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto

Mon Sep 19 15:40:21 UTC 2011

Reading the email traffic on this and related threads, and in
particular the recent lengthy, thoughtful and courteous posts by our
new Ward 1 council member, the last thing that would come to my mind
is the notion that he doesn't care about our community.  Given the
fact that we haven't had a contested seat in our town elections since
(going from memory here) 2007 I believe we are extremely fortunate in
having the quality of mayor and council representatives that we do -
it is evident that they spend enormous number of hours working on
behalf of our community.  We certainly may, and do, disagree on
smaller and larger issues of policy and practice from time to time but
the accusation that Mr Ebbeler or others "don't care about or
community" strikes me as being way off target.

Dwight Holmes
Riverdale Rd.

On Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 11:29 AM, Don Lynch
<dlynch at garretroomstudios.com> wrote:
> MUTC?!!
>
> This property is not only on the edge of town , but on a peninsula of the
> town's geography.
>
> MUTC indeed!
>
> What about the town's "real" town center?!
>
> This is such a joke!
>
> When are we going to get people in the "leadership" position who actually
> care about our community.
>
> Don
>
> On 9/15/2011 11:39 PM, Jonathan W. Ebbeler wrote:
>
> 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<mailto:bruce.wernek at
> mindspring.com>
>
>   To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org<mailto:towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
>
>   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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