Spring Valley business owner says he's done with the city

A business owner approached the Spring Valley City Council to appeal parking restrictions and by the time the meeting ended Monday, the owner of Elite Seamless Gutters told the mayor he's taking his business elsewhere.

The council passed changes to its ordinances Monday banning commercial vehicles from parking on parts of Cleveland and Greenwood streets.

A sizable crowd attended Monday's council meeting because of the proposed ordinance change.

Resident Eric Carls was the first to speak of his concern about commercial trailers from the business being parked near the intersection of Cleveland and Greenwood streets. He said it's a safety issue for those trying to pull into traffic on those streets.

Carls appealed to the city to uphold the existing ordinance he said prevents commercial traffic in a residential neighborhood. Elite owner John French said he's not breaking any laws and in his 10 years in business at that location and no accidents have occurred because of his equipment, despite residents saying it's a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike.

French said he's been on the lookout for additional property to buy in Spring Valley to house his equipment but he said the city hasn't been helpful in aiding that search.

French, who took the public comment portion of the meeting to address the issue, said it was a surprise to him, having only been notified by Alderman Ken Bogancz a day before the meeting there was issue with his equipment being parked on a residential street.

"I looked for another property and I'm considering leaving town but I'm trying to keep my business here because I'm running for mayor," he said.

French spoke at length, despite being cautioned at 15 minutes by Mayor Walt Marini to wrap up his comments, and said he brings a lot to the city through his business that he said is one of the only in Spring Valley that's thriving.

"I don't need Spring Valley, Spring Valley needs me," French said at one point during his comments. "If we change the parking, I'm closing and moving to Ottawa."

Bogancz made an unsuccessful motion to table the ordinance amendment until further council discussion and the remaining aldermen passed the changes to ban commercial parking.

Despite Marini and City Attorney Jim Andreoni assuring him they'd work with him on a grace period, French's response was a no thanks.

"Give me 30 days," he said. "I'll sell the building as of tonight and move to another location. I'll buy a new building in another city."