[RP TownTalk] Jeys Auto 5731 Baltimore Avenue

[Bruce Wernek]

Sarah

If you want Jey to be successful, why all the negativity?

Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org [mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] On Behalf Of Sarah Wayland
Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2013 4:18 PM
To: TownTalk
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Jeys Auto 5731 Baltimore Avenue

> 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 faade, 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
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