He takes the sign down. City’s court filing is then dismissed as moot because the sign is now down. Case gets dismissed. Another sign then goes back up.
The downside is that the property owner got away with this violation for almost 2 years and won’t pay a fine or a penalty. So what’s the lesson to be learned form this?
“The downside is that the property owner got away with this violation for almost 2 years and won’t pay a fine or a penalty. So what’s the lesson to be learned form this?”
The lesson: If you are a member or a perceived “protected class”, you CAN fight City Hall.
If the City grants any of the owner’s rezoning requests, or tolerates anything else untoward going on at that lot, the message will be that the City Government is a “doormat”.
Now, that is not to say that the City shouldn’t exercise some caution, but this man has telegraphed all of his actions. Be ready. if you don’t rezone his property commercial, he will put up another sign. While I don’t advocate City Governments seizing property and turning it over to private developers, I would ask that the City consider siezing this property because it is a regular public nusiance, and damaging the economic well-being of the City, if the owner continues to try to blackmail the City into granting his rezoning requests.
September 4, 2008 at 8:43 pm
That is interesting, considering they were due in court tomorrow. Hmmm, think someone is scared?
September 5, 2008 at 6:41 am
The man made his point and then moved on.
September 5, 2008 at 8:45 am
I hope so, but here’s a cynical scenario:
He takes the sign down. City’s court filing is then dismissed as moot because the sign is now down. Case gets dismissed. Another sign then goes back up.
We’ll see.
September 5, 2008 at 8:55 am
The sign is down, but the documentary “9500 Liberty” lives on, hopefully offering teachable moments.
See “Farmingville” (2004).
September 5, 2008 at 11:30 am
– The sign is down, but people were still picking up trash this morning.
– Drove through the new garage and the commuter parking levels
were 95% full, plus enjoyed the views of Old Town from the top deck.
– Also noted the ample parking next to the depot that has recently
been opened for shopper parking (4 hour limit).
– The long awaited parking facility up — the sign down. A good day
for Manassas.
September 5, 2008 at 11:52 am
Kudos to the City Manager and City Attorney for their efforts which resulted in a peaceful, low cost resolution to this issue.
September 5, 2008 at 3:45 pm
The downside is that the property owner got away with this violation for almost 2 years and won’t pay a fine or a penalty. So what’s the lesson to be learned form this?
September 8, 2008 at 12:17 pm
“The downside is that the property owner got away with this violation for almost 2 years and won’t pay a fine or a penalty. So what’s the lesson to be learned form this?”
The lesson: If you are a member or a perceived “protected class”, you CAN fight City Hall.
If the City grants any of the owner’s rezoning requests, or tolerates anything else untoward going on at that lot, the message will be that the City Government is a “doormat”.
Now, that is not to say that the City shouldn’t exercise some caution, but this man has telegraphed all of his actions. Be ready. if you don’t rezone his property commercial, he will put up another sign. While I don’t advocate City Governments seizing property and turning it over to private developers, I would ask that the City consider siezing this property because it is a regular public nusiance, and damaging the economic well-being of the City, if the owner continues to try to blackmail the City into granting his rezoning requests.
September 8, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Mr. Thomas, I wouldn’t usually support such an idea, but in this case I could make an exception.