HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous Correspondence 1990-5-23
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CHET'S AUTO REPAIR SERVICE
3816 Main Street
Springfield, Oregon 97478
747-4827
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May 23, 1990
City of Spri
Department f Business Development
225 5th S reet
Springf'eld, Oregon 97477
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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
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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,
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"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
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