To the Editor:
On Saturday I attended the public hearing on approving the Special Use Permits (SUPs) of two used car dealers whose businesses are located on the 1300 block of King Street. The city in all its wisdom has decided that these two used car lots are non-conforming uses for King Street. They did however give them until October to find alternate spaces elsewhere in the city. This is easier said than done as finding affordable alternative and accessible sites elsewhere is almost impossible.
These two dealerships have over a number of years fulfilled a need for the community by providing affordable transportation to those occupying affordable or public housing. They have been in their current locations since 1941 in one case and 1962 in the other.
Generally, the economic marketplace decides what businesses will succeed rather than government stepping in and dictating the outcome. In this case the city has decided to put the two car dealerships on King Street out of business because cosmetically they just don’t fit in. All this while allowing two porn shops on King Street and a bong shop at the intersection of Queen and Lee streets. Where is the fairness in this? The owners of the two properties are the decision makers in deciding when and if they will renew their leases with the car dealerships, not the city. In fact the owners may decide to sell or develop the properties for other uses, but again it’s their call.
Both the dealerships are owned by immigrants. We have always taken great pride in celebrating our diversity in the great city. Yet here are two enterprising businessmen trying to make the American dream a reality and in return the city tells them “you are out of business.” This cannot happen here in America.
In my 29 years of living in Alexandria this is the most egregious action by our city government that I have ever witnessed. The seizure of their property is eminent domain by another name. This council after threatening eminent domain against the Old Dominion Boat Club now is essentially issuing that threat again to these two car dealerships. This council has now taken on the moniker of “The Eminent Domain Council” a designation that will be tied to them in perpetuity.
Townsend A. “Van” Van Fleet
Alexandria