Henderson approves auto shop over protests

Valerie Miller

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 | 11:20 a.m.

HENDERSON -- Although some residents have complained and the Planning Commission voted against it, the City Council Tuesday approved an automotive retail and repair shop.

The Sears, Roebuck and Co. project will be built on 8.5 acres southeast of Sunset Road and the Whitney Ranch housing development. A similar request had already been denied twice by the Henderson Planning Commission, most recently last month.

City Councilman Jack Clark said that even though he had opposed other proposals for the property in the past, he voted for this one because Sears is a good company.

"We had discussed other projects with (owner and developer) Hank Gordon, but our concerns were the number of people and the kinds of people it would attract," Clark said.

Clark said that the property has remained vacant for the last eight years, and that Gordon had been working with the city for the past 2 1/2 years to find a suitable business.

"Sears is a very respectable company, and even though I don't always agree with Hank Gordon, he has always done what he's said he will do with all his developments," Clark said.

Part of what Gordon and Sears, Roebuck and Co. have agreed to do is comply with the provisions set forth by the City Council for approving the project.

These requirements are that the sound level from the business will not exceed the noise level generated by the next-door Sav-On drug store. Also, the business can have no vehicle doors on the south or east sides, and the customer access vehicle doors on the north and west sides of the building must open automatically, and the business hours must be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays with shorter weekend hours.

Some residents attending the meeting spoke against the development. Anthony Ricada said the business would bring numerous problems.

"If you approve this, you'll have batteries and tires piled up inside and outside," he told the City Council. "We already have enough places in that area where you can get your breaks and shocks done."

Clark countered by saying that he is also a resident of that community and that he felt that the business would not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood.

"I had a high school built by my house, and I've had my house broken into and had trash thrown in my yard," he said during the meeting. "Believe me, I would much rather have this (Sears) by me. This is a very low-impact business."

Mark Fiorentino, Gordon's attorney, said that he was confident that his client could resolve concerns broached by the Planning Commission. He added that the business is expected to be open by the end of the year.