[RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto

Mon Sep 19 18:20:47 UTC 2011

yes, i agree that our elected officials are working hard and as far as
I can tell in the best interests of Riverdale Park - thank you all!!
catarina correia

On Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 1:08 PM, Melissa Avery <m.avery at rocketmail.com> wrote:
> To all who are citizens of Riverdale Park -
> At a time when there are pressing issues concerning the future of the town,
> taxes, and our  quality of life,
> It would be very helpfully for the future of Riverdale Park if you would
> follow the issues with comprehension,
>  that is don't just check in occasionally, request that the town put the
> meeting back on TV or go to the meetings and be involved with the town
> discussion making.
> This is a town, by the people and for the people, made up of citizens. We
> the citizens of are responsible for the future of Riverdale Park.
> We don't elect our town officials so they can think for us, we do it so they
> can represent what the citizens think.
> Looks like it's time for some people to bone up on this country's history
> and the meaning of a Democratic Government .......
> From: "lisagrob at verizon.net" <lisagrob at verizon.net>
> To: dwightrholmes at gmail.com; towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 12:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto
>
> I second that statement. I am extremely grateful that we have such dedicated
> leaders willing to spend their time working on a range of complex and
> contentious issues.
>
> Lisa
>
> On 09/19/11, Dwight Holmes<dwightrholmes at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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.
>>
>>
>>
>> MUTCs 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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>>
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