[RP TownTalk] Jeys Auto 5731 Baltimore Avenue

[Sarah Wayland]

> Jey missed the effective date for the MUTC zoning ordinances by
> a few weeks.

The MUTC guidelines are dated January 2004, and Jey's plans were
approved by the MUTC committee in 2007.  The committee's procedures
only allow one 30-day delay before voting.

>From the MUTC meeting minutes, dated June 6, 2007, there is a
discussion of "a revised site plan for Jey's Auto. The revised plan
proposed a gas station and mini mart with no on-site car repair
facilities." And then... "A motion was made by Pat Prangley, second by
Gerry Kiernan to approve the plan subject to obtaining the necessary
departures in conformance with the proposed elevations and site
plans... The motion passed unanimously."

The Town Council, at the time, was the body that denied the approval
of the plans later that year (on September 4, 2007 -
http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/uploads/resolutions_ordinances/2007-R-07.pdf).

> Are you proposing that Jey spent his remaining funds
> remodeling the gas station to satisfy you, the residents, and the Town vice
> putting his kids through college?

Of course not! But if he can't afford to keep up the property,
consistent with the law, he should sell it to someone who *is* able to
keep it habitable. He could have continued operating it as a gas
station/car repair shop. Instead, he abandoned it and it has since
become uninhabitable.

> I attended the recent MUTC committed where Jey's Dunkin Donuts proposal was
> discussed.  Jey brought his architect along with extensive detailed plans
> illustrating the façade, parking, and the site plan.

But he did not bring the following (as mentioned by Jonathan in his
message) which are required for the application to be complete.

Applicant did not provide
·         Plan showing parking and loading, landscaping, vehicular and
pedestrian access
·         Plan showing all planned improvements clearly marked with
details provided
·         Elevation drawings showing all facades including all
relevant information such as building height, architectural features
and detailing, openings (including windows and doors), materials, and
color
·         Sign details including dimensions, color, materials, and lighting
·         Parking plan and supporting documentation, particularly for
shared parking or alternative transportation reductions
·         Additional details for lighting, screening, and other amenities

This is not just "that he needed a special exception..., there wasn't
enough detail regarding the signage... [and a] lack of color
renderings for the "non-architects"."

> Jey was not aware that a Dunkin Donuts was a fast food
> store nor was I.  While Jey was obtaining permits for a convenience store,
> he was solicited by Dunkin Donuts to make improvement to the property.  He
> finished up with the convenience store permits under the assumption that
> this was acceptable not realizing that there was an issue with a Dunkin
> Donuts.

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. That said, if Jey wants to put
in a Dunkin Donuts - he should submit the appropriate paperwork to do
so. He has not done that yet. The MUTC meeting is on Wednesday, and
the MUTC committee has not received anything from Jey.

> The fact that the Town is filing for imminent domain while Jey's struggling
> (again) to get through the process pretty much says it all.

Jey has been "struggling" for over 6 years. If he was serious about
making the changes, he would have done it by now.

Please don't get me wrong. I'd *love* to see Jey open a thriving
business on that property. I have seen no evidence that Jey is capable
of doing that, but I'd love for Jey to prove me wrong.

-Sarah