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June 9, 2020 <br /> <br />The following comments were submitted by citizens for the June 9, 2020 Virtual City <br />Council meeting: <br /> <br />20-144 ( c ) <br />I write to support the applicants' request for a use permit as described in the <br />documentation accompanying this item. I wish to make clear that prior to the March 3, <br />2020, Planning Commission meeting, I had no interactions, business or personal, with <br />the principals of Port Rover, LLC. Based on background information provided by the <br />Planning Department beforehand and Mr. Davis's testimony in the course of that <br />proceeding, I felt impelled to support his request. (My remarks at the public hearing are <br />transcribed on page 26 of the meeting minutes.) <br /> <br />I admit that when I reviewed the application initially, I shared some of the concerns that <br />the planning staff had noted, but the applicant's presentation, which credibly addressed <br />point-by-point the concerns raised not only by staff but by the planning commissioners as <br />well, convinced me that the business owner has "the right stuff" to expand the operation <br />without detriment to neighboring businesses or residents. The fact that Mr. Davis had <br />secured letters of support from all the other businesses in Victory West Plaza and did <br />extensive outreach to the adjacent homeowners along the shared fenceline (see pages <br />23-26 of the meeting transcript) spoke volumes about his desire to be transparent and a <br />good neighbor. The absence of any stated opposition from the public, in person or in <br />correspondence, also weighs favorably on this issue. <br />Additionally, his proposed expansion adds value to the service he is able to provide to <br />current and future customers. For these reasons I believe that our city should be <br />facilitating this project rather than obstructing it. I urge you, therefore, to reverse the action <br />of the Planning Commission and issue the requested use permit. <br /> <br />Please let me know if you need additional information. <br /> <br />Yours truly, <br />Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, PO Box 50141, Portsmouth, VA 23703-0141, 757 <br />967-7298 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />