Mellow Mushroom's Letter to the Editor Response

[buckethead]

[jaxjags]

John, I sent the following to all city coucilmembers. I encourage all to do the same:

Mr. Love,

I would like to express my opinion on the Mellow Mushroom Avondale zoning situation:

1.   First and foremost, this group has met all requirement for zoning, except parking although they have worked with all to provide more than originally proposed. This site is zoned for commercial and cannot be denied building a restaurant.
2.   They have modified the design several times to ”meet the demands “ of RAP and WLA. Something they really did not need to do.
3.   All of the restaurants in Avondale have been given exemptions for parking and other requirements such as liquor sales and outdoor dining. MM SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT.

One problem may be  that some of the members of these organizations own competing restaurants. How ironic that they have received exemptions, but do not believe MM should get them.

MM is not a bar. They have met zoning requirements. They are not asking for anything that has not been granted to others in the past. This should be approved.

Thanks,

[KEGreene1]

Lastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community?  He and his family live there, for goodness sakes!

Why?? You gotta be joking. Because the bigger it is, the more money he will make, and whether it's a good fit or not is secondary. And it ain't a good fit!

He does not "live there." He is building  a home in Fairfax Manor, a mile and a half away.

He doesn't "live there".  Mr. Nussbaum #1 He purchased a dilapidated gas station in the neighborhood and leased the building next door so he has invested in the community.  #2 Fairfax Manor/Avondale, I guess because I live in Country Club Estates I shouldn't say I live in Ortega.  You sir are splitting hairs.  #3 Mr. Valentino has been a resident in the Ortega/Avondale/Riverside area for I believe well over 10 years. I don't think he is some "carpetbagger" trying to show us how to do things.  #4 He not only met the letter of the law (which WLA was asking him to do), he listened to you and the WLA/RAP demands and incorporated them into his plan.  He is actually be more community minded than you.

The problem I've had with the whole process is listening to the lies (Mellow Mushroom is a nightclub, if he just does _____ and _____ we will be satisfied, we are not anti-business, it will drive property values down, you can't drive down the street, he doesn't live here....).  However, the fact is the Shoppes have been here longer than most of the homeowners.  You chose to live in a mixed use community.  As long as Mr. Valentino applies/builds/meet what the law requires, he should be allowed to do business.  Last time I checked this was still the USA.   

[JeffreyS]

^^+1000 WLA how do you like those apples.

[mbwright]

WLA = We Limit Avondale

[If_I_Loved_you]

WLA = We Limit Avondale

Great Bumper Sticker

[Tacachale]

You're missing Nussbaum's point: The Rowdy Pizza Crowd (tm) is exponentially rowdier and more pizza-frenzied when they're coming from a mile away. This is literally the most important thing Avondale has ever had to worry about.

[Timkin]

You're missing Nussbaum's point: The Rowdy Pizza Crowd (tm) is exponentially rowdier and more pizza-frenzied when they're coming from a mile away. This is literally the most important thing Avondale has ever had to worry about.

^  wonder what they think of the crowd who comes from the beaches