At last night's city council meeting, the issue of merging the three properties on Midland was broached again. There was probably 30-45 minutes of debate over this issue.
While on the surface this seems like a clearly administrative issue, it may have been the only opportunity to question the appropriateness of a pool company--and its associated chemical storage--coming to that location. During the meeting, Chuck Boone pointed out that since the pool company was a similar business to the construction company there previously, the business license and conditional use permits would NOT have to go through Planning and Zoning and/or the Board of Adjustment.
The two Ward 1 Councilmembers spoke vehemently against the proposal. Cuminale pointed out that it was an inappropriate business in a semi-residential area with some historical buildings.
May stated that he had visited the company's business on Link and found their lot to be a mess. He felt that not only this type of business was bad for that area, but bad for the image of Overland since this would be located on one of the main streets of our city.
Of course, notice to residents and businesses in the area surrounding 9620 Midland was not provided at any time about the possibility of these chemicals being stored near their homes, daycare, or children's walk to school.
In politics (at all levels), it is custom to respect the opinion of the legislators of the ward/district/state of an affected area. This protocol was clearly broached during last night's meeting. Both Ward 1 councilmembers voted no. Both Ward 2 council members respected that and also voted no. Unfortunately, the other four council members voted in favor of this ordinance.
Schneider, in breaking the tie in favor of the Pool Company, pretty much flipped the bird to Ward One and its residents.
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8 comments:
Coming to your neighborhood: this or this.
Admittedly I am biased on this issue since this company will be storing chemicals only a few block from where my daughter sleeps.
However, I can't shake Mayor Schneider's handling of this issue. So far, when faced with a divided Council and passionate opinions the Mayor has called to table the issue for further discussion at a workshop meeting. This issue, having some very passionate views and a clear division of the Council, not to mention that it is of great concern to residents living in the area, got no such consideration from the Mayor.
I'm uploading the video of the Meeting now, but the article has a long way to go. I can't seem to shake the utter disgust I have for what went on at this meeting which is slowing me down considerably, but the meeting will be on the site in the next day or so.
Hey Suzy!
I found another story that seems awfully scary.
Is this PoolTron applying for the permit? Their existing location is a mess. Their vehicles are old and rusted, but that is to be expected considering the vehicles are soaking in chlorine twenty-four hours a day.
Yeah this sucks, but stupid is as stupid does. The only hope now is to grind this mother to a halt and wait for the next election. Owensby and Dills will be on the block.
That story should scare the neighbors in that area.
I am not in favor of the pool company residing on Midland.
But Conlan should have not expressed that if she were this owner they should be scared. It sounded almost like a threat. She should have worded that different.
O'Connel told him that the other pool place was a larger business than his. I do not agree with that comment either, being true or not it is of no comcern of O'Connel to bring that up. I realize that they are alarmed and serious about this issue but do not degrade the potential business owne by making inappropriate statements.
My question to them is do you have someone else in mind for this location?
Long ago they turned down a business in overland it was the jag shop without solid concrete reason and at the time the attorney advised the council not to turn them down without valid reason they did not listen and were sued and lost
From the EPA regarding pool chemicals.
Overland Senior.
I was at the meeting and sitting in front of the Pool Pro guy. I didn't regard what MBC said as a threat.
She rightfully asked if he was having second thought considering the vitriol-filled debate.
In addition, I think you are taking O'Connell's comments out of context. It was not said to say "hey they are bigger than you and your tiny little company". Just as an example of a similar, but possibly larger, business.
What is the "jag shop" that was problematic? I agree that unless there is good reason that a business should be approved. However, storage of dangerous chemicals in this area sounds like it fits the "good reason" bill.
Swimming Pool Cleaning Chemicals Contain: bromine, calcium chloride, hypochlorites. Flammable, corrosive, reactive, burns on contact with skin and eyes. Mixing chlorine can explode.
Flammable:
Substance that can easily be set on fire and that will burn readily or quickly.
Corrosive:
Having the power to dissolve. Can burn and destroy living tissue.
Reactive:
Tendency of a substance to undergo chemical change. May occur when exposed to other substances; detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock, or pressure
These reasons alone are good enough for me not to like the placement of this business.
I too went by the company's current location, it looks like a trash heap.
Do I have something to replace it with? NO. Do I want the empty building replace with one that might kill me or my family? HELL NO
Why don't we have a hazardous material landfill on Page where the old Central Hardware used to be? A Cashs Scrap Metal (recycling) Yard on Lackland just down from the Lions' Club.
When you see the pretty green cloud, try to hold your breath until it passes.
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