New Convenience Store

cindi · November 09, 2009, 10:01:22 PM

sorry, i must have the super special keyboard - followed your instructions and came to the exact same spot i posted. can't help it if someone puts in a name or not. the option is there. i always laugh when i see them drive by an absolutely god aweful property to cite someone for leaving their garbage cans out more than 24 hours.

strider · November 10, 2009, 12:25:11 AM

QuoteStill, my point stands. A property with no problems, gets no care requests or complaints. I have been here since 2003, and have never gotten cited for property violations. I have owned rental property, and never been cited there either.

Dan, look out as you have been posting a little against some of those in charge over at SPAR Council and that complaint free streak of yours may be ending.... Cindi's TP complaint not withstanding.

I do have to point out that just because there is a care complaint does not mean anything was a problem. Many care complaints are closed as unfounded because, and hereâ€™s a shocker, there werenâ€™t real issues to begin with. Properties with no problems are turned in by spiteful people daily, often by the same people over and over again.

ChriswUfGator · November 10, 2009, 08:12:53 AM

Quote from: cindi on November 09, 2009, 10:01:22 PM
sorry, i must have the super special keyboard - followed your instructions and came to the exact same spot i posted. can't help it if someone puts in a name or not. the option is there. i always laugh when i see them drive by an absolutely god aweful property to cite someone for leaving their garbage cans out more than 24 hours.

Cindi, how many people do you think put their names on these things?

Dan B implied as if you have to put your name on the complaint, and that's not true. The truth is that you don't have to put your name on it, and most of them are submitted anonymously, making it impossible for the property owner to ever find out who is complaining about them. That was my point. There are two different forms you can submit complaints on, one doesn't even have a place for your name, and on the other there is just a voluntary blank where you can put it if you want to, but the information isn't required for the system to accept the complaint.

ChriswUfGator · November 10, 2009, 08:13:58 AM

Quote from: Dan B on November 09, 2009, 10:00:31 PM
Well, thats where you and I differ. I always put my name on my care requests.

No, you and I don't differ. I don't submit complaints on my neighbors. I just go talk to them.

It's you and SPAR who apparently differ, since you at least put your name on your complaints.

thelakelander · November 10, 2009, 08:37:02 AM

Let's get back on topic Springfielders. Matt, can you post an updated link to the petition you set up?

sheclown · November 10, 2009, 09:15:12 AM

thanks Matt.

thelakelander · November 10, 2009, 09:17:56 AM

Thanks. I just signed it.

Dan B · November 10, 2009, 09:19:16 AM

is the meeting today?

Dan B · November 10, 2009, 09:20:01 AM

Quote from: thelakelander on November 09, 2009, 08:46:42 AM
There has been an application made with the Planning Department to put a car wash/convenience store at the corner of 4th & Main Streets. The same person applied a year or so ago and the neighborhood took a stand against it. Application No. 09-54 will be heard by the Planning Department on Thursday, November 12 at 1:00 PM at City Council Chambers. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to be there.
http://www.sparcouncil.org/

Nevermind. Answered my own question

sheclown · November 10, 2009, 09:24:12 AM

I don't think a person has to be a Springfield resident or business owner to sign it, after all, the car wash would serve people going up and down Main Street, from downtown to the Trout River.

Is there another full service car wash for people who work downtown nearby?

Dan B · November 10, 2009, 09:29:08 AM

I thought it was happening in city council chambers? Who are the principles that run the meeting, if one wanted to email them with their thoughts as a private citizen?

strider · November 10, 2009, 09:35:16 AM

I don't have time to post it, but Louise has sent an e-mail to Dr. Gaffney stating that SPAR Council is opposing the car wash on the grounds that it is against the overlay, saying that it is not an acceptable use in the district and everyone should just uphold the law. The overlay, per Louise, was to cut down on the abuses of businesses that do not contribute to the revitalization of Springfield and will set the community back. It does state that the Historic Department and the HPC have denied it. It is dated 11/09/09.

Louise as well as a few others just do not get it. This type of business does not abuse the community, any new business that brings in spend-able dollars will not hurt the community and if Louise and Company have their way, they will insure that the revitalization of Springfield will be delayed and delayed again.

Sign the petition and get this guy the exemption so that Main Street will continue to move forward. Send the right message to the businessmen who are thinking about opening reasonable businesses in Springfield and on Main Street that we will welcome them into the Historic Springfield business community.

thelakelander · November 10, 2009, 09:54:43 AM

As you mentioned, the overlay really has nothing to do with the car wash exception issue. I don't know why its so hard for people to understand and grasp. Its really quite simple if you actually read the zoning code's commercial designations (not just Springfield's overlay) and this particular site's development and zoning history.

Like the car wash, my loft project and 3rd & Main also needed zoning modifications because their uses were only permissible by exception as well. We just happened to go PUD because it was cheaper and easier to do for all the changes desired. I think both of those projects turned out better than the parking and car lots they replaced. There's no reason an operating car wash and maintained property at 4th & Main can't be better than the abandoned, blighted and poorly maintained property that exists today.

ChriswUfGator · November 10, 2009, 09:08:42 PM

Louise is really a sackful. Let the poor have guy his friggin' carwash (that's been there since the 50's). Seriously WTF...

jason_contentdg · November 11, 2009, 09:11:34 AM

We met with Silas, the owner, yesterday and showed him the direction we thought he needed to go with the design scheme. As I've mentioned before, he is spending a large amount of money on site improvements so we wanted to make the improvements to the building as cost effective as possible, and to spend the money where it mattered most. So, this was the same as one of our Urban Facelift Projects, essentially. Paint, signage, and awnings. We also needed to do some demolition of some unnecessary items.

Silas told us that he will do whatever it takes to get the exception, and said that if this gets passed, then the car wash will look like this.

Hopefully, this is aesthetically pleasing to the neighbors and community and helps them visualize what the carwash would positively do to that block and main street.

We will post another finalized image later today.

Thanks...