Los Gatos Weekly-Times

The Town Council overturns decision allowing building of a Jiffy Lube shop

Neighbors argue business wasn't appropriate for area

Lubeck casts dissenting vote

By Clarence Cromwell

Neighbors from the area of Union Avenue and Los Gatos-Almaden Road stole victory from Jiffy Lube representatives, who came to town last week with the Planning Commission's blessing to build a lube shop at that corner.

By the time Jiffy Lube representatives left the Town Council's June 2 meeting, council members had overturned the commission by a vote of 4-1, saying Jiffy Lube doesn't belong in such a nice residential neighborhood.

"There's nothing ugly in that neighborhood," Councilmember Jan Hutchins said. "Jiffy Lube is incompatible."

Jiffy Lube's proposed 3,681-square-foot garage would have mirrored the design of the shopping center, developer Jonathan Sapp said. Its three bays would have served as many as 49 cars a day.

Neighbors raised a number of objections relating to quality of life in the neigh- borhood. Responding to the Planning Commission's earlier assertion that the project would have a community benefit, Los Gatan Larry Fava said, "I'd like to know what community they were talking about."

Some objected to the proposed building, saying the design isn't fancy enough for the neighborhood and that the building would be unusable for other types of businesses if the Jiffy Lube should fail. Sapp argued that the design would complement the shopping center and protect views of the hills. He said it could easily be converted to a retail shop by replacing the roll-up doors with storefront glass.

Neighbors asked whether the trucks that pick up recycled oil from Jiffy Lube might also be carrying more dangerous recycled chemicals. But Jiffy Lube regional manager Ron Colmon said the company doesn't permit recyclers to carry anything but used oil in trucks that service its stores.

To neighbors' concerns of increased traffic and parking problems, TJKM traffic consultant Gary Cooper responded that any increase in traffic from the shop would be so minute as to be undetectable. TJKM, contracted by Jiffy Lube, also found that there's plenty of parking available at Downing Center for Jiffy Lube customers.

At least two neighbors noted that they've seen cars repaired outdoors at a Campbell Jiffy Lube. Colman said older stores are equipped with overhangs and outdoor electrical outlets for work on radiators and air conditioners, but the Los Gatos shop won't include a place for outdoor work. All the work will take place inside the repair bays, he said.

Angry over the Planning Commission recommendation, neighbors threatened what Frances Steitz called "a total boycott of the entire shopping center" if the Jiffy Lube gained approval. The property owner, Aurthur Downing, was unconcerned, saying he believed the neighbors would cool off after a while.

Council members agreed with the Jiffy opponents.

Mayor Joanne Benjamin and Councilmember Steve Blanton both said that the Planning Commission was incorrect in its classification of the business. The commission ruled that the Jiffy Lube would be a service station under town codes and allowed it because a service station is permissible under the current zoning at Downing Center.

"I don't think service stations belong in neighborhoods," Benjamin said. "I would like to remove any possibility of a gas station ever being there."

Linda Lubeck, who often finds reason to overturn the Planning Commission, this time defended the commissioners' decision.

"I think the design is beautiful," Lubeck said after the meeting. "I think they would be a good neighbor."

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