LaDuca Seeks to Sell Used Cars at Auto Shop

Like many local businesses, Vincent LaDuca's shop has been struggling in the rough economy.

Next week marks the 23rd anniversary of  of Pleasantville, and its owner is looking for ways to expand his business to stay afloat.

LaDuca has been petitioning the village for a permit that would allow him to sell used cars on the Depew Street property, located adjacent to the Grant Street exit of the Saw Mill River Parkway.

After several weeks of discussion with the Board of Trustees, the proposal was passed along to the Planning Commission last week for review.

"We have come up with a draft temporary use permit that seems to be in accomodation to everybody's needs here," explained Mayor Peter Scherer at last Monday's meeting.

Scherer went on to explain the LaDuca property is currently situated in the village's A1 zoning district, which does not permit used car sales as a principal use.

LaDuca is seeking a temporary (two-year) permit that would allow a a compatible accessory use for the site, which in this case, would be used car sales.

In a letter to the Board of Trustees, LaDuca's attorney David Cooper of Zarin & Steinmetz stated, "...the current economic climate is placing Mr. LaDuca's business in danger of falling back into arrears, and he is seeking a swift decision on the Revised Text Amendment."

"I feel an applicant...should be in good standing," said Planning Comission Chair Russell Klein, referring to landscape upkeep and tax arrears. "The property owner has certain obligations."

LaDuca's proposal includes space for approximately 15-20 cars to be sold from the rear of the property, which is flanked by the Saw Mill River Parkway and Metro North railroad tracks.

Last Wednesday, planning commissioners raised several questions about the proposal, including whether the number of cars proposed is truly accessory use, versus principal, as well as whether the new and used car sales differs from used car sales only.

LaDuca told the commission, "I am willing to drop five to six more cars."

Other questions raised included whether the wording of the permit would allow the applicant to get away with only obeying the terms of the permit within the 60-day re-application period every two years in order to be granted a renewal.

"There's nothing in this language that says if you repeatedly go out of compliance, you lose the opportunity to renew," said Commissioner David Keller.

The commissioners also asked how LaDuca planned to invest in the new use up front if he has been struggling to pay his taxes.

He recognized it is an investment, but reassured the commission, "I know it will be successful."

He said his father started a used car business from just one vehicle and expanded from there. He said this type of business "is almost a natural thing" and would certainly boost his business.

At the conclusion of the commissoners' discussion last week, a list of notes, including defining the limits of accessory use, the number of spaces to be permitted, hours of operation, compatible use terminology, the "60-day loophole" Keller pointed out and how to define if an applicant is in "good standing," was formulated to pass back to the Board of Trustees for review.

Cooper implored the commission to "help businesses in Pleasantville stay in Pleasantville."