Imagine

Imagine, if you will, the removal of gasoline pumps at Hoff’s Service Station in the Village of Lenox?

Imagine where people might get someone to pump their gasoline, fix their tires, check their hoses, change their oil and even clean their windshields?

Could this posture be real?

If you were Glenn A. Hoff and you told people you are unable to sell the service station, what would you do?

You might seek a special permit or a variance to put in a convenience store with the existing pumps.

Mr. Hoff has been to the Lenox Historical District Commission (LHDC), where he got approval for his design. In a word, the proposal is ugly, and the commission did not do its work. It failed to make this an historic centerpiece downtown.

That said, Mr. Hoff has gone before the Zoning Board of Appeals with his attorney to argue for either a variance or a special permit. The key here is that a service station is not allowed.

Further, he does not have the necessary minimum parking spaces.

The members of the ZBA have suggested that he might have one-way traffic off of Main Street, which to this observer would have a backed-up queue of traffic in front of O’Brien’s Market, which would impede that business.

It would appear, at this juncture, that Daniel O’Brien has the upper hand, noting the ZBA can’t authorize what is not allowed or spelled out.

Thus, imagine the closing of this filling station for services beyond the vehicle like simple directions! A friendly hello? A wave?

Could Mr. Hoff remove the pumps, seek a permit to retrofit the building and open up a convenience store adjacent to one owned by Mr. O’Brien? The quick answer is possibly, yes.

On Nantucket, two drug stores co-existed for many years on Main Street until one decided to sell out to a jewelry store business for many buckaroos.

This is Lenox. This is where the “boys of the village meet.” If they are not looking for gasoline, or service for their trucks, they are next door drinking coffee and discussing the impending changes in Lenox.

Imagine – no winner?

Mr. O’Brien remains the same. Mr. Hoff spends money to rejuvenate the building that perhaps may have a lesser appeal and a lesser assessment by the town. Meanwhile, the boys and the visitors no longer have service for their vehicles. Ouch!

Can the ZBA not issue an opinion? Possibly?

Whatever the decision may be, it seems there would be a court issue by the two abutters. Say not?

To throw gasoline on the fire, this observer could see a petition by one to the LHDC to claim this as an historic artifact – pumps, sign and building – and negate a change.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hoff could be left hanging with his gasoline station along with his multi-tow trucks for another day.

Of course, one of the local high rollers could perhaps come in and buy the two out… but that idea is for another day.

Meanwhile, imagine small town life without a service station and no place to get a can of gas for one’s lawnmower or tractor?

Imagine anew…

Posted by George C. Jordan III on January 31, 2013. Filed under Opinion,View from the Tower. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry