The Glenville Town Board voted Wednesday, Dec. 17, to amend the zoning laws that are preventing used car dealer Rick DeCresce from running his business at his new Freeman’s Bridge Road location.
The town board voted 3-to-1, with one town board member abstaining, to allow DeCresce a special variance to operate his business, which is currently not complying with the zoning ordinance for businesses on Freeman’s’ Bridge Road.
The planning board must make the final approval when it meets Jan. 12.
The current law states that the new location, which is just down the road from the old one, is only zoned for the sale of new and used cars, not solely used cars.
Town Supervisor Frank Quinn voted against the amendment saying that DeCresce has had many violations and was aware of the zoning ordinances restricting used-car sales in that area.
That is why we have a zoning plan, it was originated with the intent of ensuring that commercial areas of town are placed with purpose, said Quinn.
DeCresce said he moved from his former location of 16 years to make way for the construction of a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store and help expand the town’ tax base.
`They [town officials] at one point called me a hero, and then they were not behind me when I made the move,` said DeCresce. `Wednesday night was progress, and now I just have to hope the planning board will approve the amendment.`
Local businesses and members of the community came out in force to support DeCresce, when he learned he would not be able to operate his dealership at the new location.
Town board member Chris Koetzle made the first move in initiating help for DeCresce after area small business owners made it known they were not happy. Koetzle is the liaison to the town’s Small Business and Economic Committee and has been an advocate for small business owners in the town.
Dan Carlton, the owner of Salisbury Chevrolet, sold the property at 178 Freeman’s Bridge Road to DeCresce. Carlton said he was looking to downsize anyway but was not aware of the zoning issues that DeCresce would run into.
The Town Board decided to look into making the zoning changes to not only help DeCresce but any other future small business owners in the area.
`We have not seen this happen anywhere else, and this is a first, but amending the law would help out any similar situation, should it ever arise,` said Koetzle.
The current zoning reflects the town’s goal of not having used car lots and similar businesses in the town’s major corridors.
While town officials say that they believe DeCresce was aware of the ordinances before the move, DeCresce said it was implied on more than one occasion that the town would help him out given the circumstances.
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