Auto dealership zoning is hot topic in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD » Commissioners will hold their regular monthly legislative session July 11 when summer is generally quiet. This Tuesday could be different.
If it resembles the June meeting, the boardroom could have dozens of residents who are interested in the second reading of an ordinance to change zoning at 305 West Ave. Commissioners approved the first of two required readings by a vote of 5-2, with Paul Wechsler and Gina Sage dissenting. The applicant, a Reedman Toll dealership (former Miller Chrysler et. al.), owns the parcel which is B residence, and is seeking a change to E Business. It abuts the Baltimore Pike dealership which is bisected by West Avenue.
Presented by architect Bob Linn, Reedman Toll plans major renovations to bring the dealership up to industry standards. The existing house will be demolished. According to nearby residents, the property is already being used to park vehicles in violation of code.
Marjory Devenny, one of 13 residents speaking at the public hearing on the ordinance, was later contacted. She said her views were shared by many others throughout the township.
“We have been dealing with a real problems involving the Miller Dodge car dealership (now Reedman—Toll),” Devenny said. “We have cars being unloaded next to our homes illegally; cars being serviced right on the sidewalk; workers driving across a neighbor’s lawn to get out of illegal parking areas; and so many other problems.”
Devenny has photos, as well as anecdotal information. The adjacent residential streets have township-posted signs prohibiting parking, loading and unloading of commercial vehicles, essentially a separate issue from the zoning change. During the last year and a half, Devenny has called the dealership, township and 911 as instructed, and said “nothing has been done.”
While Devenny has not seen any remedies from her actions, township Solicitor Jim Byrne said the dealership has been cited on at least two occasions and gone before the magistrate. Reedman Toll has filed appeals of the judgments against them.
“The township is aware of the complaints about loading and unloading, and we have taken action to enforce the codes. But even when we send the police or code enforcement officer, the vehicles are gone,” said Byrne.
Attorney Don Petrosa represented the dealership in the zoning change application. Both he and dealership operator Bill O’Flannagan clarified the unloading issue. Deliveries of new vehicles take place off site, they said. But towers bringing individual vehicles for service only know to deliver to the dealership.
Petrosa also offered the applicant’s position on the overall plan, saying, “Although residents have expressed concerns about impacts on the neighborhood, those perceived impacts are largely existing conditions which are likely to continue without redevelopment of the property. It is our hope that by redeveloping the property with a modern, attractive, functional facility, it will be possible to improve dealership operations and reduce or eliminate most of the existing perceived impacts on the neighborhood.”
Devenny said she also has issues about the process, and has not been informed about relevant meetings. Byrne said the township has met all required notification. From her experience, Devenny said she mistrusted the township and felt residents had been “repeatedly lied to” since the dealership undertook the expansion plans.
“We understand we are down a side street from Baltimore Pike. But we are talking about our homes. We feel the township has been trying to keep us quiet and shut us down,” she said.
However, residents have the opportunity to comment at every public meeting of planners and commissioners. More than a dozen gave testimony at the June hearing. Should the zoning change be approved, and Reedman-Toll move forward with new construction, resident will have more opportunity to comment during the land development phase.
The July 11 commissioners’ agenda is expected to have the zoning change ordinance listed.