| Things looked grim for a while for a small-engine repair company on Bainbridge Island, following the city's issuance of a stop work order for the shop. The order was prompted by complaints from neighbors, who said the business, Olsen's Small Engine Repair, was a hindrance for the neighborhood.
“It's the neighbors' opinion” that a small engine repair shop doesn't belong in the middle of a neighborhood, said Jim Kennedy, who wrote a complaint letter to the city in April. “These are not million-dollar Bainbridge homes, these are working people or retired,” Kennedy said. “All we're asking is the ordinance be complied with.”
Among the complaints included dogs barking, junk cars on site, equipment stored outside the building, and small engines continuously running. After the city posted the initial stop work order, Ross Olsen, the company owner, got help from local group Bainbridge Citizens. The group paid to have the cars removed and to hire an attorney for Olsen, who is wheelchair bound and is working another part-time job in addition to running his shop for over a year.
“My dad owned three garages, and it's something I've been wanting to do,” Olsen said about his decision to open the shop, and added that the business “is doing well.”
Gary Tripp with the Bainbridge Citizens says the move by the city was politically motivated. In an e-mail newsletter to subscribers, Tripp slammed the city's actions.
“I don't think it's good governance for a city to hit on a small business because the mayor's friend lives next door,” Tripp said. “In my view, it was entirely political. There were some issues on the property, but we took care of them.”
Tripp said one of the issues with the stop work order was that the city didn't follow its own procedure. The property owner should have been notified that a public hearing would be scheduled before a business can be closed, he said. “It's a very reasonable thing, and the city didn't do that.”
Kennedy said while the city had to pull the order because of the procedural issue, the business continued to create problems and he has asked the city to ensure the business comes into compliance with the ordinance regulating small businesses in residential neighborhoods. “If the city doesn't, we'll take further steps,” he said.
Kennedy disputes the Bainbridge Citizens' assertion that the issue was politically motivated. “The only politics involved here are that group being anti- (Mayor Darlene) Kordonowy, and anti-city in general,” he said.
“There is no intention whatsoever to put him (Olsen) out of business. It's all about compliance,” he added.
Asked about whether the city was forced to pull the stop work order because the correct procedure was not followed, City Planning and Community Development Director Larry Frazier said, “As far as the department is concerned, he's back in compliance.” He said the city didn't plan any further action at this time, but that the business is expected to conform to the standards of minor home occupation. | 