 |
|
|
|
|
Garden Theater given last chance to settle problems with neighbor Property owners Tsigaris and Mulcahy are working to resolve the parking issues
By Jessica Lyons
A traffic easement to alleviate the Garden Theater's congested parking lot hasn't been built yet, but the smell of concrete is in the air.
Because communication has opened up between Garden Theater owner Luis Tsigaris and adjacent property owner Michael Mulcahy, the Planning Commission agreed the men could have two more weeks to work out their differences. But if a deal hasn't been struck by the commission's next meeting on March 24--and if plans to build a traffic easement to Willow Street are not in the works--Tsigaris could lose the site development permit. In a worst-case scenario, all the tenants and businesses could be forced to vacate the Garden Theater. The commission will make that decision at its April 28 meeting.
"During the next two weeks, the two parties hope to work out written agreements that will provide for the construction of the driveway across the vacant lot out to Willow, maintenance of that driveway, and some other issues concerning the overall circulation, traffic patterns and maintenance," Tsigaris' attorney Barton Hechtman said.
After 10 years of waiting, area residents are more than ready to see some progress.
"All parties are finally working together on this whereas in the past there has been some head bumping," said Kris Cunningham, president of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. "I'm very pleased that we might have a good solution for both the business leaders and the community."
After the Nov. 4 meeting, when the commission revoked the theater's conditional use permit and reissued a temporary one, Tsigaris had 90 days to comply with a decade-old set of requirements. Three months later he had done the small stuff, but an entire driveway, easement and tire grating system remained unstarted.
A warning letter from the planning department arrived in the mail. Tsigaris was given a second grace period--everything must be complete by March 10. It wasn't, and the time period has been extended yet again, until April 28. But this time, Tsigaris and Mulcahy have said they will try to work together on the driveway and easement--and at this point, that's all the Garden Theater neighbors are asking.
Speaking on behalf of the Meredith Avenue residents, Peggy Rossignol addressed the commission:
"All we're asking for is an agreement between Mr. Tsigaris and Mr. Mulcahy."
|
|
|
|
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
