Anaheim : Auto Shop’s Location Next to School Denied
The City Council sided with the neighbors, owners and parents of a school Tuesday by unanimously denying a permit for an automotive service shop next door.
Brookhurst Street Associates had sought to build an American Automotive Centers outlet on Brookhurst Street south of Ball Road, adjacent to the Bel Air Montessori School.
Thomas L. Yost, speaking for Brookhurst Street Associates, told the council that the development company had examined several potential uses for the .26-acre site and decided that the automotive shop would be better for neighbors than a liquor store or convenience market.
Karl and Denise Kocek, owners of the school, said the automotive business would add greatly to noise, traffic and air pollution at Bel Air, which has about 100 pupils.
That concern was reiterated by pupils’ parents and Joseph LaRouche, a spokesman for the Brookhurst Village Homeowners Assn. LaRouche said he was especially concerned about safety on the heavily traveled street.
Councilman Ben Bay questioned Yost’s statement that the shop would handle only 10 to 15 cars a day.
The city’s Planning Commission had rejected the auto shop permit in November, and the company was appealing that decision to the council.
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