®2of4® <br />I. History of Local Ownership and Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Access at 121 <br />River Avenue <br />Action Rent -All & Events has been locally owned and operated in this location on River Avenue <br />since 1984, for 40 years. In 2000, my client purchased Action Rent -All & Events and then, in <br />2006, my client purchased 121 River Avenue. Although my client sold the business in 2016 to the <br />current owners, ownership of the property is maintained by Rucker Properties, LLC. Mr. Rucker <br />is a long-term local resident and a member of the Springfield and Veneta Chambers of Commerce. <br />Along with Action Rent -All & Events, the north side of River Avenue, has many long-term, locally <br />owned businesses. Situated between River Avenue and the Beltline, the businesses consist of light <br />and heavy equipment rental yards, a printing business, refrigeration service, a boat dealership, a <br />car lot, storage facility, a post office, and a marijuana dispensary. Many of these commercial uses <br />will be prohibited by the proposed amendments. <br />Conversely, as River Avenue joins River Road, the businesses are no longer locally owned; instead, <br />national chains dominate. Located at the corner of River Avenue and River Road is McDonalds, <br />Auto Zone, Wells Fargo, Dollar Tree, Chevron, Grocery Outlet, and Bi -Mart. It should be noticed <br />that none of these national chains on River Road and River Avenue appear to be threatened by the <br />proposed Amendments. <br />Finally, River Avenue is already pedestrian and bicycle user friendly. In front of my client's <br />property, River Avenue has a sidewalk, a bike lane, and a signed and marked cross walk. <br />II. Amendments, as Proposed, Negatively Impact the Existing Business at 121 <br />River Avenue <br />Action Rent -All & Events, the existing mixed-use commercial business located at 121 River <br />Avenue, will be financially and adversely impacted by the proposed amendments prohibiting the <br />use: "Equipment, Heavy, Rental/Sales/Service — includes truck and tractor sales. " The code <br />amendments will: 1) make Action Rent -All & Events rental of heavy equipment a nonconforming <br />use, 2) likely prohibit the planned expansion to a neighboring site on River Avenue, and 3) likely <br />require the business to move to a different neighborhood in order to expand. Refer to letters <br />submitted by Action Rent -All & Events for more detailed information. <br />III. Amendments, as Proposed, Negatively Impact Landowner as the Pool of <br />Subsequent Lessors and/or Buyers of 121 River Avenue is Greatly Diminished <br />A. Removing Commercial Uses: The owner of 121 River Avenue has a compelling concern <br />about attracting future tenants or buyers as the removal of the following commercial uses limits <br />the pool of potential lessors and/or buyers. The amendments delete from the C-2 zone the following <br />Andr6e Phelps • Attorney at Law <br />Andr6e Phelps Law, LLC <br />541.221.1431 <br />andree@andreephelpslaw.com <br />