New Convenience Store

[jason_contentdg]

It the property is well maintained, a sound business plan is in place, and makes an effort to be a positive for the neighborhood economically and aesthetically, I'd certainly support it.

[thelakelander]

these horrible people will spend all of their useless time doing nothing except talking about why their personal gaseous emissions are good enough reason to tell other people what they can and cannot do.

If you leave the conversation to them, the neighborhood is doomed.

Heres and idea Matt and FSU.  If you want something to happen.  Go buy some land and put some money where your mouth is.

If you don't want something to open. Buy the land and put your money where your mouth is.

Your theory that god appointed you the deciders for springfield is what is wrong with SPAR.

Let's try a different approach to this discussion.  Calling people horrible will only send the converstation to hell.  Let's try tossing out solutions, examples, ideas and easily understandable options that educate and lead to a win/win strategy for the owner and the community.

[Lucasjj]

Gate and several gas stations all over town have convenience stores and these things are not issues.  Is it possible for Mr. Jones to maintain his facility in a similar manner to the mentioned examples?

I believe this is the real solution to any negative impact a convenience store would have in the area. If the owner is going to allow customers who purchase items, and then loiter and litter out front to do so without repercussion then the people will return to do that. As Lake mentioned other convenience stores do not have this problem, which i believe is because they do not allow it.

However it is not as if you can just assume this is the case, and would require speaking with the owner.

[thelakelander]

It the property is well maintained, a sound business plan is in place, and makes an effort to be a positive for the neighborhood economically and aesthetically, I'd certainly support it.

I don't think its the public's business to jump into someone's personal business plan but there is nothing wrong with attempting to make sure a property is well maintained.  I certainly would be pissed if some average joe blow wanted to open my bank account.  However, I would not mind working with the community to make sure concerns like better visual integration into the surrounding area took place.  I don't know Mr. Jones but I can't imagine him not wanting to work with the community either, considering he took time out of his schedule to meet with residents last night to discuss the project.

Someone who went to the meeting last night mentioned Mr. Jones owns a few commercial properties across town.  Did anyone in the crowd bother to ask the guy where they were located?  To tour what already exists would either validate or devalidate many views surrounding this proposal.

[fsu813]

lake,

didn't you hear? resident's opinions aren't welcomed. you'll get called names. only certain people are allowed to state opinions now.

but seriously. it all comes to quality of managment & design. quality of managemnt will dictate the upkeep, if bums hang out there, if it's spic & span spotless, if it's a nice place to go, or if it's a dump.

getting the locations of his other carwashes is key, as you can see the quality of management for yourself.

design would be a major bonus as well, though probably just seen as a costly appeasment move by the owner. good landscaping & lightening at least.

[thelakelander]

Gate and several gas stations all over town have convenience stores and these things are not issues.  Is it possible for Mr. Jones to maintain his facility in a similar manner to the mentioned examples?

I believe this is the real solution to any negative impact a convenience store would have in the area. If the owner is going to allow customers who purchase items, and then loiter and litter out front to do so without repercussion then the people will return to do that. As Lake mentioned other convenience stores do not have this problem, which i believe is because they do not allow it.

However it is not as if you can just assume this is the case, and would require speaking with the owner.

Someone mentioned that he said he has other commercial properties across town.  Where are they.  Taking a look at them would offer insight to how he maintains his investments.

[thelakelander]

design would be a major bonus as well, though probably just seen as a costly appeasment move by the owner. good landscaping & lightening at least.

Landscaping and lighting are components of design.  Good design does not have to be expensive and leads to a better final product.  A better final product can lead to more profitability for the owner.  Did people who attended the meeting last night ask Mr. Jones to consider working with the SPAR property enhancement program?  I bet something really good can be created from such an effort.

[Lucasjj]

Does anyone know Joe's last name where we could do a record search on his name, and possibly see what other Florida businesses he owns?

[fsu813]

Lake & Lucas,

no, it was more like 3 people said they couldn't support his plan, then he sat down. though the guy in front of me & myself thanked him for coming. that was at the end of the meeting, he left afterwards.

i think his name was Silas?

[danno]

I think it would be called a discussion?  But then again I could be wrong.

[thelakelander]

According to the application, the guy's name is Silas Jones. 

Lake & Lucas,

no, it was more like 3 people said they couldn't support his plan, then he sat down. though the guy in front of me & myself thanked him for coming. that was at the end of the meeting, he left afterwards.

Did they say why?  Perhaps, I'll personally contact the guy and offer him advice on how to get a good project through?

[fsu813]

Stephen,

so opinion threads on what is good & bad for the neighborhood are only ok if they are done by .....who.....?

you've started and commented on too many to name. so.....only non-homeowners, such as yourself? or......former business owners? i'm curious who's allowed to post now.

i'm trying to think of a reason why you can state your opinion on what others (SPAR for example) should & shouldn't do in the neighborhood, but residents cannot do the same for other businesses/organizations....

please clear it up for me.

i'll be very impressed if you can do it without totally hypocrisy. =)

[cline]

random homeowners posting threads which attempt to put themselves in the place of deciding whether or not a new business has the right to invest or open

The owner has a right to invest or open a business that is within local zoning laws.  This use will require a zoning exception.  Because of this, "random homeowners", or anyone for that matter, will have the right to voice their concerns about the exception at the hearing on the 12th.  This is how zoning works.  You don't have a right to open whatever you want wherever you want.  If the zoning board sees that the exception fits, he will be allowed to open his business.

[fsu813]

Lake,

yes. thier reasons were: it would be next to some of the oldest housies in the 'hood, create traffic, don't need another convenience store, more people hanging out there, etc.

basically they don't trust that he'd do it the right way.

[nvrenuf]

Yes fsu813, his first name was Silas. I believe his last name is Jones. As is with many meetings toward the end it just turned into a mish-mash of multiple conversations. He said he would only be leasing for 5-6 years as the owner (Hionides) claimed to have other plans for the property after that timeframe.