| Author | Message | ||
     Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 753 Registered: 7-2003 |
I don’t really know enough about it. I just saw a lot of “Good Luck Art” and then your post. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 319 Registered: 3-2003 |
Art: The historical site your property occupies is one of the real credits to Maplewood. The way you have improved and maintained the property reflects your care about maintaining the character of Maplewood. The B&B part blends well and I fully support your efforts to continue. | ||
| kevin Citizen Username: Kevin Post Number: 204 Registered: 2-2002 |
Othello & Elvis - in regards to this comment: "for you information many of us who bought in Art's neighborhood and border his property had NO IDEA that there was a COMMERCIAL business zoned for our area...We were not informed and are considering litigation" Who are you considering litigation against? Your realtor or attorney for not doing enough due dilligence about the property that you were purchasing? Whenever I look into purchasing property, I don't rely on others for the complete picture - most times, you just won't get enough information. I don't think that they (realtor or attorney) are liable for not pointing out this information unless you specifically asked. As a starting point, I go to townhall to find out as much information as I can about all neighboring properties. You can look at the tax maps and then find out the zoning and assessments. I will then research comparable and previous sales in the area (your realtor can help here if you don't have the resources). If I see a future neighbor in their yard, I will try to start a conversation with them or even knock on a few doors if nobody is outside. I can understand greentree's comment about her next door neighbor's teenager that blasts his stereo real loud. You cannot always know about things like that before you purchase. The reality is that it is nobody's fault besides your own if you did not know that your house was bordered by piece of commercial property since it specifically says "commercial" in the tax record. This sounds like the same argument about people who move into new developments that are built in close proximity to either an airport or dragstrip and then group together to try to either impose severe restrictions or shut them down. They were there first -- accept it or sell and move elsewhere. Good luck Art. | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 94 Registered: 5-2003 |
Greentree, Your points well taken..As a real estate investor, I did as much research as I could and for various reasons that I won't go into there was a delay in me finding out this information. When I did find out this information I did gather all the info...FYI the settlement contains severe restrictions on Art's business that we doubt the town can enforce...Will it be a case of the settlement going through the town not policing the issues..Before you blow your top..I am not presuming that Art would violate any of the restrictions only if he did.....But have no fear..litigation will commence and if that fails..I will move (although I love my neighborhood)... | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 2193 Registered: 1-2003  |
Othello&Elvis, how does the B&B intrude upon or hinder your life? Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 95 Registered: 5-2003 |
Honestly because of the pending litigation there has been no business but my property is VERY CLOSE..if Art decided to have a small to medium outside party it would..Now I will give Art the benefit of the doubt but it makes me very nervous.. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 2196 Registered: 1-2003 |
Did you move in after the litigation started? If there were rules about noise and whatever else, and the business complied, would that be good enough, and would you be OK with the business operating? Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 96 Registered: 5-2003 |
Yes, I moved during the on again off again disagreement. As I said my main concern is that if a settlement is reached and IF there is noncompliance how is it going to be addressed..I will posed the question at the meeting..THere are so many ways that this really could be a quality of life issues...along with the Boyden buses!! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2011 Registered: 5-2001 |
O&E- Don't mistake me; I think our opinions differ on the B&B, but I was addressing my comments re: "you should have done more research" to those who, well, are telling you that you should have done more research. Isn't one of the issues that Art's property is NOT zoned as a commercial property? At any rate, I would think that the restrictions would be fairly easy to enforce. If a neighbor is outside & hears a sound system, they simply have to look on the front of the property for the mandated, clearly posted permit for such equipment. If that permit is not there, or it goes past the restricted hours, call the police. There won't be a lot of people happy that an officer attends their wedding uninvited. I don't see this as any different as someone on my block who has regular visitors that used to park across my driveway. I would constantly knock on the door & ask them to move the cars. When I got no repsonse, I would call the police. An officer would knock on the door and make the same request. This only happened a few times before the word got out; I haven't had a car across my driveway in a couple of years. I'd hate to see anyone who loves it here leave the neighborhood. I think Art has come to realize that things change and he needs to compromise in order to be a good neighbor. Why not give him a shot at running a quiet guest house? | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 97 Registered: 5-2003 |
greentree, Thank you for your comments...after asking around I was told that for issues in the past the police have been hesistant to act..that is my main concern..again I am not saying that Art would ever violate the agreement but b/c it is so very close..it is a concern.. | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 6430 Registered: 4-1998  |
Good luck, Art! | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2483 Registered: 9-2001 |
Othello&Elvis, There are 18 different families who live on the borders of my property, plus over three hundred directly across the street from me at Winchester Gardens. In almost 60 years, my family and I have never experienced problems with any of them except for the three couples on Fleming Terrace who have so openly opposed me at the public hearings, and have refused to try to work out any differences we have. As anyone can imagine, I live with the comings and goings of all of these neighbor’s everyday of my life. FWIW, a Bed and Breakfast is not what most people would consider a commercial, or retail business that customers, or delivery trucks would be frequenting everyday. My activities are negligible in comparison, and much less than a family with young children living at my property would bring to the neighborhood. I don't know who you are, or how long you have lived next to us. More importantly, I'm not sure I understand what you have against the bed and breakfast or me. I do know that you never called me to discuss your issues, or ever filed a complaint against me. As you reported, the restrictions being imposed on me are very strict, and the fines very large, which include the loss of operating the B&B for up to a year if found guilty of any violations of the settlement. For the record, whatever your issues are, I will be more than happy to try to work them out with you. I would also hate to see anyone leave their home because of me. Art Call me at 762-8518, or e-mail me at LesSaisons@comcast.net | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2003 |
Art, Thank you for your reply. You are right.you don't know who I am and I have never filed a complaint against you. Then again I do not have any reason to. Thank you for your openness and I will make it a point to call you and arrange a meeting (before the hearing). It is not that I have anything against YOU personally or B&B's but I am very sensitive to the issue because of your proximity. As I wrote, if the settlement is passed I do not anticipate issues I am only broaching the possibilities. Because this is such a "hot button" issue with our neighborhood and community I will bring the concerns directly to you. I will call this evening. | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 6432 Registered: 4-1998 |
I think that's a great idea, but won't Art be at Town Hall tonight? | ||
| Othello&Elvis Citizen Username: Pseudoah2 Post Number: 99 Registered: 5-2003 |
Dave..I'll leave a message | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 321 Registered: 3-2003 |
This is better than Dr Phil! Good luck to both parties. And O&E, if you don't know Art and his total maplewood involvement, and who is one who really cares about his community and neighbors, you might find meeting him important to a solution. Nuff said for now. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2485 Registered: 9-2001 |
Othello&Elvis, Thank you for your reply and generous phone call this evening. I just came home and it's too late to be calling anyone. I'll call tomorrow... | ||
| Duncan Citizen Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 1562 Registered: 12-2001  |
O&E.. if my neighbors, who do not operate a B&B have a BBQ I know about it! Whether it is medium or small or, as is the case twice a summer quite large. Its part of living in a small town. If you didnt know that Art's place was a B&B and he had a medium sized party outside how would you tell the difference? I am glad to see that you and Art have contacted one another. He is a good man who wants nothing but good things for Maplewood. Despite our differences I count him as a friend. Alls Well That Ends Well. Playing through March 7. info at http://www.hometown.aol.com/theatr1010/ | ||
| Deb G Citizen Username: Deborahg Post Number: 788 Registered: 5-2001 |
Group hug, group hug!  Seriously, this it's really great thing when neighbors approach each other directly to work out their differences. O&E, Art, you are both mensches. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2487 Registered: 9-2001 |
“Can you print the text of the proposed settlement?“ Sbenois, Copies are available at Town Hall for anyone interested. I’m sorry, but it would be a lot to type, and probably to long to read it all on line. I can tell you this, as stated in an earlier post by my neighbor, it is restrictive… I can say this because I previously served on Maplewood’s Economic Development Committee, and chaired the committee to develop regulation for bed and breakfast for our town. Last year I submitted an outline for the ordinance to regulate and license the bed and breakfast industry for our community. When I served as a Director for the State Bed and Breakfast Association, our main purpose was about service to the public and how to be good neighbors. I believe this is best accomplished when the township passes fair but strong ordinances. I hope when the public sees the settlement agreement; they’ll agree it’s fair for all parties concerned. |
