Having read The Phoenix earlier this week and noting the "superstar" move of the Vale Rio Diner to its supposedly temporary home, I am regrettably less optimistic that we will ever have a reopened and functional establishment. I took a quick drive over there on Thursday morning to find that there are several large trees that don't look all that healthy looming auspiciously over our poor diner.
I remain supportive of moving forward expediently on plans and accommodations to reopen the diner in a new locale, but there are several hurdles involved. Had the owner pursued the relocation process concurrently with the sale of the property, a lot of things could have been taken care of related to zoning issues and traffic concerns.
However, none of it may be relevant in the future anyhow. If Mother Nature elects to breathe on one of those trees too heavily in a spring or summer storm, our Vale Rio might end up looking like a giant crushed soda can.
Maybe it would be best if the diner were somewhere out of sight for a while. It doesn't exactly improve the quality of life or property values at the Nutt / Starr intersection as it is now. (Wonder if there may be cause for any fines? Hmmm.)
But let's think optimistically ... If the diner's structure can be preserved safely, maybe we could wait a year or so after the Walgreen's opens. After it flounders for several months and closes due to lack of adequate patronage (since we already have market saturation for local pharmacies located at safer and more easily accessible intersections), wouldn't it be grand if the diner ended up back right where it was.
Good luck to those crossing the street for a quick walk to Starbucks by the way; that's a pretty gnarly proposition.
Maybe I'm wrong.
I guess I just hate to see the demise of the Phoenixville historic gem we had in the Vale Rio (not to mention the fantastic food) in the interests of the almighty dollar. I might feel a bit better if something we actually needed in town were to be developed there.
Phoenixville is now relegated to Egg McMuffins for 5 AM breakfast runs, so let's make do for now and keep the faith.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Vale Tree-O
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19 comments:
I wonder how this fits into Borough Code as an outbuilding?
It should raise (or lower) the appraised value of the land and have an effect on the property tax.
Then again, perhaps it might be classified as an eye-sore and Puleo could be subject to heavy fines.
Anyone care to take this up with the code officer?
I don't know BUT, I find it hard to believe that storing the old diner on the Puleo Nutt & Starr property is legal. Can any of us do that? Even if its just "temporary"? If I was a neighbor I'd be very upset that it was there. And to suggest it could be there permanently is a real fantasy. Traffic would be out of control unless major intersection work were done, there is no room for parking, and I truly believe Puleo just took the best money deal with no intention of ever reopening the diner. If he cared, he would have sold the business right where it was. I'm sure there are many folks who would love to have owned and run it. He's only saying what he thinks we want to hear so he's not critisized for taking the money and running. Its a shame really. The diner will be sorely missed.
Temporary as in the temporary trailer on the steel site that was not to be there more than 18 mos?
Perhaps some of the above comments could be addressed by Council and the Code Office?
Did anyone forget about the free market system? How about the our rights to own property afforded to us in our constitution? As much as we dislike the way the owner of the Val Rio property is utilizing his property, it is his Diner, and he has the right to tow it to the scrap yard if he wishes. There is a place to live if you desire to give up your property rights. It’s called Cuba.
To 3:40 PM....what is it your seeing in this string that no one else sees? A little defensive aren't we? The issue raised here is where the old diner is stored, likely illegally, and the fact that the current owners also most likely have no intention of opening it again, regardless of what they say today for public relations purposes. This string of comments has nothing to do with their rights to dispose of their property as they see fit, as long as they do it legally. We'd also prefer to not be lied to.
So Jeff...what is the legality of parking the old diner on Puleo's office property? Is it permitted by code or not? I suspect old junk cars are specifically forbidden but who could have foresaw an old junk diner. Therefore it's likely not mentioned in the code. So, technically can it be stored there or not? I'd love to hear if it's legal.
Jeff....Jeff....you still there??? Are you not answering my diner storage legal question because you don't know, can't find out or don't care?
Anonymous Mar 18 7:22 AM:
I passed your concern along to our acting Borough Manager for addressing.
Is this a high priority item requiring an immediate answer? If so, I will escalate.
Thanks Jeff. It's not a high priority for me since I don't have to look at it very often. I suspect it's a lot higher priority for those who drive by every day, for those look out their windows and see it or for the town in general because people coming into town who see it will definitely think badley of us. It just shouldn't take as long as it seems to for us to know whether there is an ordinance violation or not. Couldn't this fall under public nuisance laws? It just looks really, really bad and I'm embarrassed for the town.But then what do I know.
Anonymous Mar 18 2:35 PM:
I agree. Someone from codes should be sent to the site to review and determine if there are any violations.
I will report back when I hear something on this.
OK Jeff....don't mean to be a pain in the butt but when information is promised I consider it owed. We're now another week later and we still haven't heard the status/legality of storing the old diner on Puleo's office property. It just can't be that hard for Borough staff/solicitor to come up with the information. I know there are other pressing Borough issues but that just justifies closing out this issue with a ruling, letting everyone know what the ruling is, and moving on. If it's legal, say so. If not, what is the Borough doing about it. Then we'll all know. I just don't get it!
Anonymous 8:40 PM:
I have re-expressed your concern to the acting Borough Manager.
Not only waiting for the status of the diner on Starr Street, but is there any information as to when Mr. Puleo will be cleaning up the mess at Nutt & Bridge where the diner once stood?
Anonymous Apr 6 7:47 PM:
Thanks for the reminder. I'm waiting for the same updates that you are. I suggest that you contact Borough Hall directly about this issue.
I will raise the concern at the April 15 meeting if it is not resolved by that time.
Just a friendly reminder - Council meeting is this Tuesday. And I'd like to remind you of your comments above - since apparently no one in Borough Hall has responded to your requests for information.
Appreciate the reminder, Ed. I will bring it up for addressing during New Business.
Thanks Jeff. Quite a few citizens of the Borough are very interested in the outcome of these questions. So we'll be waiting for your response.
It's now April 24th and election is over. We're all still waiting for answers from the code department or whoever should be giving answers.
Perhaps you haven't asked the right questions?
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