Friday, October 22, 1999
Taxi-bus outfit blocked in move
Firm can't use new property
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — The Newport Board of Adjustments failed to approve two requests from a taxi and bus company Thursdaythat, temporarily at least, stalled the company's plans to move its operation to a new and larger location.
Board members were deadlocked, 2-2, on the question of whether Executive Transportation could park taxis, buses and limos on the lot at the former Neltner property at 19th and Monmouth streets as a continu ing nonconforming use.
The other issue, a request for a variance to construct an addition to the existing building for use as a bus maintainance and repair facility, failed for lack of a second from any of the board members.
Executive Transportation bought the former Neltner business and property, covering about four acres fronting on Monmouth between 18th and 19th streets, last March with plans to move its entire opera tion from its present location on York Street.
Residents from the surrounding neighborhood objected to the move, citing fears of air pollution, traffic congestion and damage to the peace of the area.
Executive Transportation operates Yellow Cab, a charter bus business, and a limo business. It has more than 100 vehicles in the fleet.
Chris Seifried, acting chairman of the board in the absence of chairman Charity Turner, said he felt the definition of a non-conforming use in the current Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zone did not allow a mass transit terminal or car wash and therefore the application did not meet the necessary standards.
Newport City Attorney Mike Schulkens pointed out that the city administration did not consider the Executive Transportation business to be a mass transit terminal, and the car and bus wash facilities planned for the site were not for public use but to clean company vehicles.
The Neltner family operated a tire store, gas station and repair business and food and drink carry-out at the location, across from the Newport Shopping Center, since 1955.
Among the differences cited by board members with the Neltner business — which was ruled a legitimate non-conforming use — were:
• The number of vehicles that would be parked behind the main buildings.
• The 24-hour operation.
• Buses and taxis arriving and leaving at various times of the day.
Newport Mayor Thomas Guidugli, who attended the meeting as a spectator, said he thought the board of adjustment “made the right decision under the circumstances.”
“I think (Executive Transportation) was trying to infringe too much into the neighborhood, trying to expand too far up 19th Street,” he said. “I think maybe they were just a little too greedy, trying to do too much. I can understand why the neighbors are concerned.”
Attorney Don Johnson, representing Executive Transportation, refused to comment after the meeting as to what the company's plans might be. The board's decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court.
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