Johnson questioned why the city allows more than the three events allowed annually and why residents are not notified of upcoming events, “an eyesore that bring down property values, are ugly and polluting and messy.”Councilmembers listed their concerns and questioned usage by out-of-town dealers as well as city revenues.“I think ten,” such sales annually as proposed in the draft code are “way too much,” said City Councilman Rick Cook. “I love to see those tax dollars come in but there has to be a happy medium. . .”Bartlett said the figure was “not just pulled out the hat” and the figure was based to allow each city dealership to share in the event schedules.Cook noted that another glitch is that such events are governed by city code but that Felkins is outside city limits.“I’m wondering if the real issue is quality not quantity,” said Councilman John Procter. “There has to be some way to do these without being on top of these people. . .we have the responsibility to deal with the fallout.”Vice Mayor Mary Ann Krause said that the ten events proposed is not a problem spread over a year but scheduling and allotment must be considered.
Kmart vehicle sales continue to rile Felkins Road neighborhood
January 30, 2004
Santa Paula City Council
Holding special vehicle sale events at Kmart continues to be controversial and the City Council heard complaints from nearby neighbors who likened them to a “carnival-like atmosphere.”
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesHolding special vehicle sale events at Kmart continues to be controversial and the City Council heard complaints from nearby neighbors who likened them to a “carnival-like atmosphere.”The council heard a report by Planning Director Tom Bartlett intended to “bring them up-to-date on the events” with a three-year chronology of applications. Bartlett also reported on Temporary Use Permit provisions contained in the proposed new Development Code now being reviewed by the Planning Commission.Michael Johnson, representing Felkins Road homeowners, noted that the Jan. 20th meeting was his fourth appearance before the council regarding the vehicle sales and their impacts.Johnson urged that the city require an environmental impact report if the “city wants to torture us” with the sales. “If the city and Kmart want to profit on our misery” impacts must be questioned.Car alarms blaring in theå middle of the night, bright lights shining in residential windows, early Sunday morning musical entertainment, and a “carnival-like atmosphere without supervision” continues to plague neighbors, said Johnson.Incidents range from sales personnel taunting neighborhood dogs to power surges have also infuriated the neighborhood, he added, and one fire was caused by a display balloon gone astray.
