HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence APPLICANT 11/5/2008
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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dear: Lisa Davis
Please pass this on to your Supe~isor - Linda Polly.
I am writing in response to your letter received on 10/29/08 regarding our non-
compliance.
Due to unforeseen financial setbacks caused by excessive contractor errors, we have been
unable to finish the work we have started on the property. It is not our intent to leave it
unfinished; we just need more time to complete it.
My wife and I have dreamed of owning our own coffee business for years, but
unfortunately it has not been a pleasant experience for us, thus far. It seems that
everything we try to do to build and promote our business has been criticized and
challenged at every turn, especially by the City. We have thrown our life savings into
this project and really want to succeed. We are not rich, and both work very to get by.
Prior to development, our property was literally a patch of weeds. We have done a great
deal of work to it over the past several months, but have had nothing but negative
feedback from the City and others who seemingly don't want us to be doing business
there. We paid well over $12,000 in permits and $70,000 in improvements. We are just
trying to live the American Dream, so that we can give back and build a secure future for
ourselves and our children.
We have been members ofthe Springfield Chamber for several months now and we have
made an effort to use Springfield businesses as much as possible. We have contributed a
portion of our sales to the Children's Miracle Network, we offer employee discounts to
neighboring businesses and we promote specials for local nurses once a month. We also
will be donating to Food for Lane County. We have not made a dime yet, but believe in
giving back to our community. We are trying to make a difference and it's truly
unfortunate that we are being penalized for our efforts.
Compared to other coffee stands in the area and throughout the City, we have a lot of
land to maintain, Most kiosks are only responsible for the land that their building is on
and a small portion of the surrounding area. We really feel it's unreasonable for the City
to have such strict requirements for our type of business. We accept the responsibility of
maintaining the property, but not necessarily to the degree you are requiring.
We have also been unable to effectively promote our business because of your strict sign
policies, even to the point of having them removed without notice. We understand that
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there are regulations on such things, but we are just trying to build our business, as other
companies who post similar signs in the area are trying to do. I would be curious to know
if all of them have permits, or are "monitored" as we have been. .
As if all of this weren't enough, the treatment we have received from one of your
planners, Molly Markarian, has been intolerable. Since the beginning of our working
relationship, she has been nothing but rude and condescending. She has criticized us
personally for not being in compliance, even to the point of implying that we "didn't pay
our contractors." She also stated that she had high hopes for the land and implied that I
was wrong for Springfield. This is just one example of many. I have attached a copy of
one of her e-mail responses as proof of her behavior. In fact, I would officially like to
request that another planner be assigned to us, as I refuse to work with her or Lisa any
further on this project.
I understand that being a business owner is never easy, but I really feel like we are being
targeted, for some reason. I have to wonder at some point, if it is because I am African
American trying to do business in Springfield, or simply because we do not own a large
corporation - I have to wonder if we would have received the same treatment in Eugene.
Either way, its discrimination and I'm sure that's not the image the City of Springfield
would like to project. I really don't like brining race into this, but do fill that I was
harassed by Molly, and I don't claim this lightly. I left my meeting with her ashamed and
really felt belittled.
We are not asking to be relieved of our responsibilities; we would just like you to
reconsider your plan to fine us, so that we may have more time to complete the work. We
have made vast improvements to the property, thus increasing the value ofthe
surrounding businesses and bringing more revenue to the City - I don't think we're
asking too much. If you shut us down, you will force me to layoff 5 employees and
leave the land abandoned. If you continually fine, me 1 will be forced into Bankruptcy. If
there's something that 1 can do in the short term to mitigate a fine and stay open, I will.
The building itself has an Oregon State of Approval, so I thought that the building
already passed. We did pass our health inspection as well. I attached a photo of the
property before development so you can see the property. The property was full of weeds
and trash prior to us moving and a homeless guy was living in the garbage enclosure.
The property was not safe, but it is now.
Sincerely,
-Harold Morris
Owner - Just Brew It Coffee Express
Email -Hmorris@Jbicoffee.com
(541) 501-221 I
Date Received:. II I s 108'
Planner: (J) . DeG- 2CD8 - 0001
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