Public Hearing on Business License Revocation Surprises Lawyer
An attorney representing T. Carder Lawn Care in Webster Groves says complaints about business are usually addressed by the parties involved without a public hearing.
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A Webster Groves public hearing on the revocation of T. Carder Lawn Care's home-based business license has its attorney puzzled.
The hearing was originally scheduled for May 29. However, during an administrative hearing tribunal teleconference on Friday, the Webster Groves City Council agreed to postpone the hearing until the second or third week of July.
"I was rather surprised to learn that there was going to be a public hearing," said Pete Woods, an attorney representing the business at 336 Oak Tree Drive. "Normally, you try to work things out if there is a complaint — there's no public hearing. She hasn't been contacted by the city for the last two-and-a-half years."
Mike Harney, the city's building commissioner, told Patch that since 2001, the city has received eight complaints regarding storage and use of equipment, employees coming to the site and noise regarding the business. Some were identified as violations and cited, he said. Others were unfounded.
Woods said the more recent complaints were initiated by neighbors who are unhappy that she has built a two-story garage on her property. He told Patch that one neighbor actually has a 24-hour surveillance camera pointed at Carder's back door to catch people coming in and out of her house.
"It's an obtrusive violation of the privacy of her and her family," Woods said.
Carder also recently bought a home across the street from hers which she is rehabbing and uses to store equipment, Woods said. Carder's properties are all in compliance with the city's zoning regulations.
Woods said he expected to get copies of the complaints this week. Tomorrow on Patch, we'll hear from some of Carder's neighbors.
Editor's note: Woods said the equipment stored at the home Carder is rehabbing has been used to work on the building as it has been renovated. He said it is not lawn care equipment. Woods also said that he was speculating about the reasons why the neighbors were complaining.
Kelley Bryan
4:43 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I live next door to Terry and have for 17 years. I have no issue with her, the garage has been there for ten years, and our neighborhood would be a lesser place if she is run out of business. She is a valued member of our community, and the complaints are coming from two households which have never been a part of this community. I have lived across the street from one of the complaintants for 15 years and they have not spoken to me once, nor acknowledged my attempts to be friendly. We all want Terry to stay in business...LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, right, AllGodsChildren2? Such hypocrisy. Who are you to judge?
Pam Penrose
7:21 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I have lived two doors from Terry (and her business) for 16 years and have never had a problem. Can't imagine "neighbors" trying to cause problems for hardworking, honest people who are just trying to make a living in this present economy.
Pam Penrose
8:25 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
i live a couple houses down from Terry and although I have never spoken to her in any length, I do know that she seems to be an amiable, down-to-earth person. i can't imagine her not being approachable and completely accommodating to any neighbor who might come to her personally with a complaint or issue. Webster Groves has always prided itself in being a tight-knit community and it's unfortunate that there seems to be a breakdown in communication between the neighbors on Oak Tree drive. As a resident of this city, I would hope that differences could be resolved without involving the time of city officials, lawyers, and other leaders whose time could be better spent on more pertinent issues.