Good morning,
It was not long ago that Newark was considered to be a less than friendly place for business.
Codes and other issues gave college town a bad reputation that was gradually reversed over the years by successive councils and mayors.
An outside factor was the mind-numbingly complex early version of the county’s Unified Development Code. The massive document made Newark look business friendly by comparison.
The city’s reputation is at risk of switching back with the council, in a puzzling move, turned down a plan for a service station owner on College Avenue to operate a small used car lot adjacent to his property.
The station provides repair services that have virtually disappeared from gas stations. The property could have easily turned into a less desirable business.
The Newark Post reported that the neighboring commercial property owner was OK with the project.
Anyone driving by could tell you that parked cars would have little visual impact on the commercial area. And even without the used car lot, the owner will be able to park cars on the property, the Post reported.
The council bought the ludicrous argument from neighbors and the council member from the district that the small used car lot would generate traffic as people test drove vehicles.
The result was a poorly thought out decision that sent the wrong message to small businesses working to scratch out a living.
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