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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous Correspondence 1990-5-23 . . CHET'S AUTO REPAIR SERVICE 3816 Main Street Springfield, Oregon 97478 747-4827 f May 23, 1990 City of Spri Department f Business Development 225 5th S reet Springf'eld, Oregon 97477 * We have operated our business at the above address for the past ten years. During this time we purchased our business site and began an extensive period of renovation of the building and exterior grounds. We have made certain that our property is always free of unsightly and unnecessary debris. We have fenced our storage lot to have a safe area for our customers vehicles and to eliminate hazardous conditions for the neighborhood. During the time that we have been in this location we have been subjected to harassment by some of the surrounding neighbors. We have requested assistance from the city in arriving at some means of maintaining an amicable atmosphere for our wellbeing as well as the neighbors. We feel that part of the problem within the city is the lack of proper zoning. We are a business surrounded on two sides by homes that are within inches of the property lines. We are constantly reported for infractions, real and imaginary, and seem to be the recipient of neighborhood frustrations. We have been made aware that some of the surrounding neighbors feel our business is a detriment to the neighborhood and have passed petitions among the neighbors to have our business .closed up. by the city. Last year the Springfield Police were sent to our business because of a complaint regarding the parking of a vehicle and because the vehicle had been seen driving on 38th Street on several occasions that day. The vehicle in question was our truck, parked in front of our gate and driven by my wife while she was shopping and relieving me of the effort of having to run business errands. It was obvious to the officer that (1) since we own the land, building and truck we were able to park in the manner that we wished and (2)we are also able to drive where we wish. I am at a loss to understand why someone even bothered to call and why the police department had to spend their time on such a needless . . City of Springfield May 23, 1990 Page 2 issue. We have had all of our windows broken as well as our main entry door broken during the past few years. The windows are in our doors - each one having three windows for a total of twelve windows. When they were being broken it was done one window each day and since each incident was separate our insurance, after the deductible, did not cover any of it. Our sign letters have been taken so often that we no longer use the sign for anything other than to show our address. We have had problems with neighbors complaining about barking dogs in the evening. Two years ago we began locking our dogs inside the building after dark so that this would not be a problem. This meant having to drive over 500 miles each month on weekends to put the animals outside and then to return them to the building before darkness. While we are very aware of the fact that we have created problems by having guarding dogs on the premises, we have not intentionally committed any acts that were meant to be a problem. We have had complaints that our dog was staring at a neighbor through her window! . Our latest problem was created when our neighbor removed her fence without notice and we were unable to replace the fence due to lack of planning time when this was done. An employee failed to chain the dogs when they were put outside. The two adults, with three puppies at their heels, went exploring for a time period of less that 5 minutes. The cost to me was the loss of the two good friends and over $900 in fines and costs as well as time spent away from my business. I am aware that these were definite infractions, but these were not intentional incidents. Prior to my court appearance I had decided I could no longer afford to use dogs for our protection. During the years that I have been here I have supported youth, high school and community activities. My residence is outside of the Springfield area, but we have always shopped and chosen physicians, dental care and other personal services within the city in support of our business location. I give special consideration to seniors and help those who cannot always afford necessary repairs. I feel there is a need for people to support neighboring businesses and each other in their daily endeavors. We see the city, and Eugene, courting ~arge business. are made of financing, special zoning 1ssues and other of courtship. What about the small business that pays hires local residents and helps maintain the economic atmosphere? We have asked the City to assist us in a Offers items taxes, . . "neighborhood issue" and Springfield has chosen to turn its City of Springfield May 23, 1990 Page 3 head. There is a definite problem with zoning along Main Street and other areas in Springfield. We are competing with businesses run out of homes, with no commercial utility costs, no special insurance requirements, payroll taxes or normal overhead that our business must meet. The person that holds the mortgage on our property is in direct competition by running an auto repair shop from his home. He was unable to make ends meet in his own commercial building! We would like to see the City institute a program of assistance for the small business. We would like to see some type of license requirement and zoning that is fair to neighborhoods as well as businesses. We would also like to see employees of the city more informed as to building code requirements, permits and small business assistance. Sincerely, CHET'S AUTO REPAIR SERVICE c~rcr cc: City Mayor City Manager / Planning & Zoning Police Department , . . d _ . h I Q_1_._,. 77. . . 3.1 ~ - n, t. .__. _.. 1r71;,;f;t YtiIt;'t.. ~~ '737 -:3<171 ___- ~. '-"_~' - -~ .i.' Un '.-- . -:'q ......~- . . ~.,_._._- -- .n.--,..--.- fzJh_~' Ut _. .... _~. - _ H'~ n .. ~ - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,.., . - .~- ._~. .-. ~n ---lft--.~ /~ . . ~~ .~ {/Ld-/ .. /......