Neighbors on the East Bluff are all abuzz about the Hick'ry Stick Restaurant coming into the neighborhood and are crossing their fingers hoping for the best. The opening of this restaurant is very controversial for many of the neighbors who live close by.The homeowners in the neighborhood surrounding the new restaurant all signed a petition because of the potential parking problems and how dangerous it is exiting their street and getting out to McClure Avenue.
Tread carefully when you are visiting the area, as the business minded Councilman Riggenbach seems to have forgotten about the children and families who live in the area; many of whom walk everywhere they go. Unfortunately for the neighbors, the vast majority of Hick'ry Stick’s clients don’t live in the area – they drive.
Tuesday was reportedly very busy in the neighborhood with cars pulling in and out all day. Considering the Neighborhood Store Code is supposed to promote walking within the neighborhood, this use of the Neighborhood Store Code is a stretch.
In December, there was a rather contentious hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals, where several concerned residents turned out to speak against this restaurant. The ZBA decision was split with a vote of 3 to 3 and after a decision by the City Attorney that Hick'ry Stick could go forward under the Neighborhood Code, they have finally opened over a year after first breaking ground.
Recently, in a move that wasn’t considered very neighborly, Hick'ry Stick requested and received, a loading zone on a residential street, which took away four parking spaces in an area where long standing residents were already struggling to find parking.
Neighbors are put out because they are running into not being able to find parking close to their homes, because a restaurant was allowed to open without sufficient parking, under the guise of the Neighborhood Store Code. From what I understand, this business fought against EVERY protection that the Neighborhood Store Code provided the neighbors. As a result, variances from the City were abundant and never ending - right up to opening day.
Welcoming business into the older neighborhoods is good – but it shouldn't be to the detriment of the homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods.