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MINi7TES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 24, 1994 <br />indicated that she would have a problem requiring <br />overhead doors to be opened only 24 inches in a non- <br />air-conditioned garage. Scalze also did not believe <br />that the City could police such a requirement. <br />Benjamin pointed out that the Abra facilities are low <br />traffic generators, and not very noisy. Benjamin <br />pointed out that one of the strategies for locating <br />Abra facilities on Main Street is that customers feel <br />safer than they would going to an Industrial area. <br />Benjamin indicated that a high percentage of customers <br />are women. <br />John Gabrielson, The C. Chase Company, reported that he <br />understands the body shop image and feels that in many <br />cases it is warranted. However, Abra has upgraded this <br />image and is bringing the body shop business to retail <br />locations. Abra has spent the extra money on their <br />buildings and landscaping to do so. Grabrielson <br />pointed out that other auto-oriented businesses have <br />moved to retail locations as well. Gabrielson pointed <br />out that the Abra business would close a 6 P.M., and <br />operates fewer hours than a fast-food restaurant, for <br />example. Abra has a good image and customers are <br />comfortable with the retail location. Cars are Abra's <br />product just like food is a restaurant's product. <br />Gabrielson stated that Abra has every right to step out <br />of the old auto body shop image and into today's retail <br />image. <br />Hanson stated that he was tired of looking at the weeds <br />on the Rice Street property being considered. Hanson <br />acknowledged that the Council has discussed the <br />upgrading of Rice Street. Hanson also acknowledged <br />that the auto repair business of today is not like it <br />was years ago since more parts are replaced rather than <br />repaired. Hanson pointed out that there is a lot of B- <br />3 property in the City, and felt that the Council had <br />to consider the issue of auto body repair in B-3 rather <br />than the issue of allowing Abra to locate on Rice <br />Street. Hanson pointed out that the text amendment was <br />a concern to him, and pointed out that it takes 4 <br />affirmative votes of the Council to approve both a text <br />amendment and a conditional use permit. <br />Morelan asked if other automobile facilities like <br />muffler shops were allowed in the B-2 District <br />currently. The Planner replied that that was correct. <br />5 <br />