Is Springfield Ready for a Car Wash?

[CS Foltz]

I concur stephendare not to mention "Information of a more personnel nature has come to light as well that I don't feel comfortable discussing in public"? Then why even mention it? If it offends you so much then don't even post it..............WTH? We allready know that SPAR is dead against this type of business, even though it was allready approved by the City!

[ChriswUfGator]

He was approved in the 90s, but did not act in the specified time to maintain the exception (1 year).

Nobody even knew who he was when the overlay was passed.

That all depends on the terms of his first exception. We have no idea. I'd love to see it. Frankly, I think Jones is in over his head. He is a one-man show at this point. The man needs to hire a land use attorney, pronto. It's pretty clear he's getting railroaded. As to someone else's question about what suing SPAR would accomplish, the answer is nothing.

That may be a different story, though, with certain other situations where the mass code-enforcement call-in campaigns have been going on against the same people and property over and over again for years, and where the place has been inspected and found in compliance 4000 times, but yet they still keep doing it because they don't like the outcome of COJ's determination. That's where I think they may have some liability.

But in Jones' case, it pretty certain he probably is required to have a new exception now, so as putrifying as I find those pre-orchestrated code-complaint bombs that SPAR organizes, there probably really was a legit basis there. But regardless of whether or not he gets to open his carwash, the fact remains COJ approved the use, he invested the money, then they took away his exception through a not-that-much-later overlay revision (assuming the original exception didn't automatically expire on its own...again I'd love to see it). But anyway, even if he doesn't get his carwash, it still may be a compensable taking and he may get some money for it. But either way it's COJ on the hook in this one, not SPAR.

So as usual, SPAR does the behind the scenes dirty work and has to take no responsibility for it whatsoever. Not financially, and not by virtue of its leadership facing rough re-elections due to their bad decisions....since they refuse to hold the elections required by their own bylaws.

Must be nice never being accountable to anybody for anything, huh?

[CS Foltz]

Chris...........I agree! Which is part of the problem that I have with SPAR! Since the terms of his exception have not been made public, I too am undecided, but I do agree he may have a legal beef with the City! He needs a legal opinion and representation!

[fsu813]

Planning & Zoning and HPC have already said that they will recommend denial, despite what SPARs position is.

You 2 guys seem to forget that.

If things go as anticipated, SPAR will simply be agreeing with the other relevant departments.

And if you think SPAR controls those 2 departments, you're crazy.

[jason_contentdg]

Yes, planning and zoning and hpc are recommending denial based on the old site plan, and no new evidence.  That may still be the outcome after Thursday, but it's important to note, they have not seen the revised site plan, design, or decibel readings.

[fsu813]

True.

[strider]

Since it is known that the HPC is recommending denial, on what is that based? I think I have seen the reasons for denial from the planning department, but I do not remember seeing that.  And why was HPC even involved at this point?

[thelakelander]

Why hasn't he met with them to show them the updated information to see if they would change their recommendation?

[jason_contentdg]

Why hasn't he met with them to show them the updated information to see if they would change their recommendation?

He has dropped off a packet with them, but they were unable to talk at the time...I don't think he dropped it off before the deadline of getting information in before the next meeting.

[tufsu1]

then he might be better off asking for a continuance

[thelakelander]

I agree, if I were him, I'd ask for a continuance.  At this point, another month's delay would not hurt if it gives him a better chance at getting them to reconsider their recommendation based off the revised plans.

[aubureck]

The HPC is not involved at this point.  The issue at hand is the Zoning Exception for the carwash that is to be presented before the Planning Commission, not the HPC.  HPC does not get involved unless a COA is submitted to the staff for alterations to the site or the structure itself.  At this point this has not been done because there is no point in doing so if his exception is not approved.

[thelakelander]

Yeah.  He should ask for a continuance and pay another visit to the zoning department to see if they will reconsider based on the updated information.  Considering he is up against a wall, I don't think it will hurt if he attempts to sit down and work with zoning to alleviate their concerns before asking for official approval or denial. 

[ChriswUfGator]

Two things;

1: It's been awhile since I've seen the property we're debating. A couple years probably. So after all this hoopla on here, I actually drove out to the carwash property last night and looked around it. This whole debate is utterly !@#$%&* ridiculous. The place is surrounded by 3 or 4 unkempt vacant lots and an abandoned warehouse. How the hell could a carwash possibly make it any worse? It would absolutely be an improvement, and an oasis in the middle of a sea of dead commercial properties.

2: I stopped by 3 Layers coffeehouse during the MJ weekly meeting, and it was very nice to put faces with the screenames on here. It was a pleasure meeting all of you, you have a great crew.

[CS Foltz]

Surrounded by 3 or 4 unkept lots huh? Hay Springfield Girl....... are you the rest of the SPAR Board staying on top of the landscaping? Need some mulch...........I can get you a deal on some?