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A home-based business that began operating earlier this year in a long-established Buena Vista neighborhood is upsetting neighbors, who brought their complaints to City Council last week about the traffic the business generates.
“I’m very, very concerned about the children,” said Nancy Sika, “who ride their scooters, bikes and [tricycles]” on Edgewood Road in the residential neighborhood, Racy Acres. “What happens when a child gets hurt?” she asked.
The business in question, S & Crew Sales operated by Shena Herring, was previously located on 29th Street but was relocated to Herring’s home on Edgewood Road.
Customers order products online but pick them up at Herring’s house.
Herring came to City Council’s July 18 meeting to respond to complaints that had been made to the city. She defended her business, asserting that it had minimal impact on the neighborhood.
The neighbors who attended last week’s City Council meeting strongly disagreed.
“My biggest concern about this mess – and it is a mess – is for the children,” said Ada Branham. “We have no sidewalks. The street is their playground. We who live there know they’re there.” Clients of the business frequently park their cars in front of Branham’s house, she added. “I have no parking in front of my house anymore.”
Randall Cluff said he’d researched the city’s ordinance that sets the rules for home occupations in residential districts. He said he’d found that such businesses had to be compatible with the residential neighborhood and not generate excessive traffic. He said he didn’t believe the business was compliant with these zoning regulations.
Sally Foshay, who has lived in Racy Acres since her home was built there in the 1960s, said it’s a close-knit neighborhood in which everyone looks after each other. “I hate to see this happen to a very wonderful community,” she said of the business’s impact. “I don’t know why it’s taken so long to get this settled.”
In comments he made this week, City Manager Jason Tyree said, “We greatly appreciate and value the input of our residents, and we have been actively addressing these concerns since the initial complaint. We have taken our time to thoroughly review the situation and remain committed to developing a solution that addresses the concerns of both the neighbors and the business owner.
“Ensuring that our neighborhoods remain safe, welcoming and comfortable for all residents is of utmost importance to us. At the same time, we highly value the presence of businesses within our community, including home businesses, which constitute a significant portion of our business licenses and play a vital role in the overall economic health of the city. Balancing the interests of both residents and businesses is a top priority.
“We are grateful that our citizens continue to engage and express their concerns, and we are dedicated to finding a resolution that benefits everyone in our community.”
