Post by news on Mar 24, 2007 9:00:17 GMT -8
Give me a break. They were given 20 years. Why do business owners wait until the last minute? It is a shame that the city had to wait that long because that could all become prime retail space. I agree that those types of businesses do not belong in the downtown. Wow....the downtown is going to be nice....hopefully faster and faster.
Azusa's downtown plans displace longtime businesses
By Alison Hewitt Staff Writer
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
AZUSA - The sweeping changes redevelopment is bringing to downtown Azusa are brushing aside many longtime businesses.
While many owners have been distressed by the threat of eminent domain, others face a different obstacle: zoning.
Freeman's Auto Parts, Paint and Towing is one of the victims of zoning changes, and lost the use of its tow yard as part of the process. The owner posted a bitter sign on his building in protest: "Azusa city & police murdered my business of 35 years." The building is across the street from City Hall.
Freeman's, other car-related businesses and pawn shops are being pushed out of downtown. The owners can keep the land, but they must change their businesses, city officials explained.
Mark Brewbaker, the general manager of Freeman's, said the Police Department cut off a long-standing towing contract with the business, and the city will no longer permit their auto-storage yard.
"We just ask them to leave us alone 'till the end of this year, because we're getting ready to build something in San Dimas and we need a place to park our trucks," Brewbaker said.
But the zoning change began more than two decades ago, in 1983, when the City Council changed the zoning code in downtown Azusa. Businesses like car repair shops, towing companies and pawn shops would no longer be allowed downtown. The pre-existing businesses were given 20 years to move out, explained Planning Director Larry Onaga.
Freeman's was one of those affected, along with Wimpey's Pawn Shop, Buy Back Pawn, El Camino Tires and Max's Repair Shop, city officials said.
"Businesses like auto towing and auto parts - they don't fit here anymore and they haven't for a long time," said Bruce Coleman, the economic and community development director.
A block or so north, the city is finalizing a deal to purchase the land under Broderick's Body Shop and the Economy Auto Center, said Robert Person, the assistant city manager.
The two car repair businesses are located in the shadow of the strategically important King Ranch Market, and the city is working to empty the block by December to make way for a Target. Between that and the rezoning process, downtown's car repair shops could be gone within a few years.
"We're trying to create a walkable, vibrant downtown with restaurants and shops, and this kind of use kind of comes head to head with that," Person said. "It's difficult to attract a higher-end business when your neighbors are going to be tow yards."
But though time ran out for the businesses in 2003, extensions were granted until 2007 and 2013. Freeman's deadline hit in February, but El Camino and Max's have until 2013, according to minutes from the council meeting that determined the extensions. The reasoning for granting different time frames is not mentioned in the minutes, and Onaga said he could not recall from memory.
The owner of Wimpey's Pawn Shop, which relocated a month and a half ago under the dual threat of eminent domain and zoning changes, said he fought against having to move but was defeated.
"It's disappointing. We had a great location and the shop had been there 30 years," owner Jim Yenyo said. "Our business may never be the same.
"We spent a lot of money on attorney's fees, and it got us nowhere," Yenyo said. "You can't fight City Hall."
www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_5511382
