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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A conflicted South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission on Thursday delayed a decision on a permit that would allow a Do It Yourself Center to move into the former South Shore Motors building.
After failing to garner enough support to either approve or deny the permit, the five-member commission directed city staff to come back with more information about the center’s impacts to residents of the “Y” area at the commission’s next meeting on May 14.
About 20 people showed up for Thursday afternoon’s Planning Commission meeting at the Lake Tahoe Airport.
Several attendees brought up concerns about traffic and how the center will otherwise effect quality of life at the “Y”, but most said they are concerned that the center will negatively affect locally owned businesses in the area, including Scotty’s Hardware.
If the permit is approved, the Do It Yourself Center, at 1875 Lake Tahoe Blvd., would be within a quarter mile of both Scotty’s Hardware and Ace Hardware.
“I believe they’re going to come in and sell enough to hurt Scotty’s,” said South Shore resident Rick Taylor, adding it could be enough to put the South Shore institution out of business.
Taylor’s comments were met with applause from numerous Scotty’s Hardware supporters in the audience.
Mike Mauch, the vice president and general manager of Do It Yourself Centers — which has eight locations — said he thought all three hardware stores could survive side-by-side.
While the center would compete in part with Scotty’s and Ace, the Do It Yourself Center would also prevent customers from traveling to Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Carson City for products that are not available in South Lake Tahoe.
Patio furniture and barbecue grills are among products the Do It Yourself Center will offer that are not widely available at the South Shore, Mauch said.
The businessman said he was disappointed in Thursday’s delay and said the center’s anticipated opening date of July 4 is now up in the air.
Mauch also denied allegations by Scotty’s owner Robert Cosmi that the center will be an undesirable “big box” store.
Likewise, Cosmi disputed Mauch’s claims that all three hardware stores could survive in such a small area, using Mauch’s statement that he expects the Do It Yourself Center in South Lake Tahoe to do about $3.5 million in annual business.
“You can’t do $3.5 million in business in this town and not hurt other businesses,” Cosmi said.
Several commission members seemed sympathetic to Cosmi’s cause, but were told by Community Development Director Teri Jamin that they are unable to consider their personal preferences when approving or denying a permit; they must only consider whether the applicant has met the stated requirements.
The Planning Commission cannot consider the competition a business will provide to other businesses in the area when considering a permit, Jamin said.
Following the discussion, the board voted 4-0 to bring the issue back at their next meeting.
Planning Commission member Mort Meiers recused himself before Thursday’s discussion, saying his consultant work for the Small Business Development Center — a federal agency to protect the interests of small business — potentially conflicted with his ability to make an unbiased decision regarding the permit.
After failing to garner enough support to either approve or deny the permit, the five-member commission directed city staff to come back with more information about the center’s impacts to residents of the “Y” area at the commission’s next meeting on May 14.
About 20 people showed up for Thursday afternoon’s Planning Commission meeting at the Lake Tahoe Airport.
Several attendees brought up concerns about traffic and how the center will otherwise effect quality of life at the “Y”, but most said they are concerned that the center will negatively affect locally owned businesses in the area, including Scotty’s Hardware.
If the permit is approved, the Do It Yourself Center, at 1875 Lake Tahoe Blvd., would be within a quarter mile of both Scotty’s Hardware and Ace Hardware.
“I believe they’re going to come in and sell enough to hurt Scotty’s,” said South Shore resident Rick Taylor, adding it could be enough to put the South Shore institution out of business.
Taylor’s comments were met with applause from numerous Scotty’s Hardware supporters in the audience.
Mike Mauch, the vice president and general manager of Do It Yourself Centers — which has eight locations — said he thought all three hardware stores could survive side-by-side.
While the center would compete in part with Scotty’s and Ace, the Do It Yourself Center would also prevent customers from traveling to Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse in Carson City for products that are not available in South Lake Tahoe.
Patio furniture and barbecue grills are among products the Do It Yourself Center will offer that are not widely available at the South Shore, Mauch said.
The businessman said he was disappointed in Thursday’s delay and said the center’s anticipated opening date of July 4 is now up in the air.
Mauch also denied allegations by Scotty’s owner Robert Cosmi that the center will be an undesirable “big box” store.
Likewise, Cosmi disputed Mauch’s claims that all three hardware stores could survive in such a small area, using Mauch’s statement that he expects the Do It Yourself Center in South Lake Tahoe to do about $3.5 million in annual business.
“You can’t do $3.5 million in business in this town and not hurt other businesses,” Cosmi said.
Several commission members seemed sympathetic to Cosmi’s cause, but were told by Community Development Director Teri Jamin that they are unable to consider their personal preferences when approving or denying a permit; they must only consider whether the applicant has met the stated requirements.
The Planning Commission cannot consider the competition a business will provide to other businesses in the area when considering a permit, Jamin said.
Following the discussion, the board voted 4-0 to bring the issue back at their next meeting.
Planning Commission member Mort Meiers recused himself before Thursday’s discussion, saying his consultant work for the Small Business Development Center — a federal agency to protect the interests of small business — potentially conflicted with his ability to make an unbiased decision regarding the permit.
