pages: PlanningBoard/2015-07-13.pdf, 7
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PlanningBoard | 2015-07-13 | 7 | impacted by this issue. She said that her household's use of street parking is limited by Big-O. Mr. Larry Wilson, neighboring resident, was not in favor of staff's recommendation, stating that retired people who live in the neighborhood come in and out of their homes regularly since they are not at work during the day when Big-O is operating. He said Big-O employees are on the look-out for parking spaces and they snatch them up quickly when one becomes available. Therefore, residents are heavily impacted by Big-O's operations. Mr. Duane Watson, of Lee Auto, supported Big-O. He said there are no lots in the area available for Big-O. He attested that Big-O tries hard to get people in and out as quickly as possible. He supported keeping Big-O in the community. Mr. Paul Grossman, resident, spoke in favor of Big-O stating that he uses the valet service and that this operation is the most successful Big-O in the country. He asked the Board to figure out a way to work with Big-O. Mr. Gary Voss, Big-O Tires owner, stated that he is a part of Park Street Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce. He said Big-O is trying to be a good partner to Alameda and that Big-O brings customers to downtown and generates taxes for the City. He said it feels discriminatory to say Big-O cannot use the public parking and pointed out that other businesses have more customers that use the public parking lot. He indicated that Big-O strives not to use metered parking. Furthermore, he stated that Big- O makes their private parking available to the public after they close in an effort to contribute to the community. Mr. Joe Martin, local business owner, was not in favor of Big-O although he is Gary's customer. He said Gary does not have adequate staff. The business is too big and has out grown the space it currently has. Mr. Glenn Reeder, resident, spoke against Big-O. He said he lives a block from Big-O and it is impossible to park on the street during the day. As a result, residents do not want to leave their homes during the day. He said that the conditions that prompted complaints in the past have gotten much worse. Mr. Michael Notaro, attorney representing Washboard V Laundromat, spoke against Big- O stating that when Big-O's original Use Permit was issued, they were serving 20 invoices a day. Today, Big-O serves 60-65 invoices a day. He said the congestion in the public parking lot is a cause for concern because of the fire hazard it presents. He asked the Board to require Big-O to find an extra yard for their operation. Mr. Art Thoms, Washboard V Laundromat owner, spoke against Big-O. He noted that the parking problem began eight years ago. Since then, he has talked with Gary to try and resolve the problems but the problems have persisted. He said that when the meter maids would come by, Big-O employees would come out and talk with them and they would not get ticketed. Mr. Thoms circulated a petition against Big-O and received 9 business Page 7 of 11 | PlanningBoard/2015-07-13.pdf |