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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1980)
emerald Vol. 82, No. 63 [ Eugene, Oregon 97403 Wednesday, December 3,1980 Photo by Erich Boekelheide City zoning laws restrict small neighborhood store, including the Willamette People's Cooperative . KB * Family-owned grocery stores face extinction by zoning laws By DAWN GARCIA Of tiM Emerald The tiny family-owned grocery stores that dot University-area neighborhoods are facing ex tinction. "There seems to be a movement away from mom-and-pop grocery stores," says Greg Byrne of Eugene's planning department. "Not too many people will put in the work and the money involved with such a slim profit." But store owners mention other reasons for the decline — competition from supermarkets and strict zoning laws. "Zoning laws are great when they are applied to new projects and larger organizations," says Hilyard Street Market manager Larry Swartz. "But they really put a hardship on us.” Hilyard is one of five small groceries in the University area designated "nonconforming use.” The status allows the markets to do busi ness in areas zoned only for residential use, but they cannot expand — a lack of space charac terizes these stores. Erick Ackerson, co-manager of the Willamette People’s Cooperative, says the co-op would fold if allowed to use only the store's front room for business. “We deal in bulk sales, which takes up a lot of room." Ackerson explains. The store’s previous managers expanded into three adjoining back rooms a few years ago But the move violated the zoning code, and the city council has taken action against the co-op. “The expansion was a violation,” Ackerson agrees. "But it’s sort of a trivial thing the city could ignore." The violation has prompted neighborhood groups to bring the problems of ma-and-pa groceries to the city council in an attempt to facilitate zoning changes for these special cases. Many store owners have joined the neighborhood lobbying efforts. "We recommend to the city that they find a way for these stores to exist as they are and yet not give them a higher zone status,” says Gary Gillespie, leader of a neighborhood group in the south University area. Neighbors generally support the small grocery stores, but they fear the neighborhood will become too commercialized if the stores receive a higher zone status, Gillespie says. Eugene city planners also are struggling to deal fairly with the situation. "It's tough, but the city is trying to allow these small stores opportunities without the con sequence of having auto-oriented stores,” Byrne says. Most store owners say more cars wouldn't accompany expansion since the majority of their customers are "walk-ins.” "We don’t even use the few parking spaces we have,” Ackerson says. Pointing to the wooden bike racks in front of the co-op, he explains that most people bike or walk in. Serving University students is the purpose of many of these corner groceries, store managers say. “I’m very appreciative of my student cus tomers,” says Miller’s Grocery Manager Jim Huckins. “When you get to know ’em, there’s some nice young people out there.” . . . City council called for help Mom-and-pop grocery stores are the corner stones of many Eugene neighborhoods, and city officials should do everything possible to pre serve them, says city councilor-elect Mark Lind berg. Lindberg’s ward covers most of the West University area, where many small neighbor hood stores face possible closure because of zoning restrictions and economic hardships. The University assistant professor will replace councilor Scott Lieuallen next month. "The stores are a meeting place for the strata that live there," Lindberg says. "They provide community-based economics." Future city zoning updates should include provisions for neighborhood grocery stores and allow them to expand within reason to stay economically viable, Lindberg says. Most neighborhood markets are given “non conforming" designations under current zoning ordinances and are not allowed to expand. But most store expansions would not alter the char acter of the neighborhoods and should be allowed on a case-by-case basis, Lindberg says "Those stores that I know of don't have ex pansion interests to get customers outside of their neighborhood areas. They’d be crazy if they did because they don’t have the right locations to draw those people.” Although most store owners want to provide better service for existing customers rather than increasing their service areas, some people fear their neighborhoods will change if corner stores are allowed to expand, Lindberg says. “They want their neighborhoods to stay the same.” But with careful planning and neighborhood input, mom-and-pop grocery stores can expand and enhance neighborhoods rather than detract from them, Lindberg says. “I don't think we'll wind up with Safeways on corners where neighborhood stores are now.” Fadeley sues Meyer, alleging false remarks By MIKE RUST Of th« Emerald Vern Meyer's legislative career hasn’t started yet, but the Springfield mayor already is enveloped in controversy. Meyer and five members of his campaign commit tee are being sued by State Rep. Nancie Fadeley, D-Eugene, and her campaign committee. The suit claims Meyer "maliciously” used false statements in his successful campaign for the District 42 legislative seat. Meyer unseated the five-term incumbent in the Nov. 4 general election. Fadeley’s suit contends material the Meyer cam paign distributed contained statements the defendents knew to be false. During the fall campaign, Fadeley disproved Meyer campaign charges that she sponsored only four bills that passed the House, that she was the biggest spender in the Legislature and that she voted against tax rebates and for increased rents and medical costs. 11 Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are Meyer campaign manager Judy Cassell, Arlene Link, Charles Richey, Stephen Moe and Robert Fauvre. All five signed a Meyer campaign letter in which the false statements named in the suit allegedly occurred. The suit asks for $50,000 in general damages and $25,000 in punitive damages from Meyer. Identical amounts are being sought from Cassell, as well as $50,000 in general damages from Link, Richey, Moe and Fauvre. Fadeley’s campaign committee is seeking $16,994 from each of the defendents. "I think it (the lawsuit) is extremely important,” Fadeley says. “There’s never been a campaign like this in Lane County, and I don’t think there's ever been one like it in Oregon, with such a blatant disregard for truth Fadeley says she was reluctant to initiate the lawsuit, but the law required her to file if any legal action was to be taken. Members of labor unions, womens groups and teachers groups have expressed support for the suit, Fadeley says. Meyer, who has been Springfield mayor for the past four years, was selected to run against Fadeley last summer after no Republican entered the primary. Fadeley squeaked through the Democratic primary with a 14-vote victory over challenger Peggy Hall. Meyer was unavailable for comment. The suit was filed Nov. 26 by Eugene attorney David Jensen.
