Cathy Dobson
Local small businessman Kirkland Blake says his failed attempt to fight city hall could put him out of business.
He said he was not surprised Monday when city council refused to take the unusual step to initiate a bylaw amendment that could allow him to keep a non-conforming large tent at his Lakeshore Road detailing business.
“It’s quite clear they don’t care what people think and that it’s all about scoring political points and generating money,” said Blake.
“But it will all catch up with them,” he warned.
If Sarnia council and city hall administrators don’t try to help more small businesses like his, small business will close down and jobs will be lost, said Blake who has four full-time and six part-time workers.
“There’s going to be nothing (to employ people in Sarnia) and then people are going to move elsewhere for better opportunities, including me at some point,” he said.
Blake’s fight with city hall reached a critical point on Monday when Coun. Bill Dennis and Coun. George Vandenberg made a motion that could have allowed Blake’s Ultimate Detailing to be an exception to a bylaw that does not allow for large accessory structures.
Blake uses a 12’ X 30’ tent and two smaller ones to store and secure vehicles after they have been cleaned and are ready for pickup. He says the tents are an absolute requirement for his business and that he doesn’t have the funds to relocate them.
Three years after Blake’s business opened at the corner of Colborne and Lakeshore Road, a single complaint this fall prompted a Sarnia bylaw enforcement officer to stop by. He warned Blake that he was subject to fines as high as $25,000 if he didn’t remove the large tent.
Blake started a petition and went to city hall to make his case in November. At the time, more than 2,000 people – including many neighbours and loyal customers – signed a petition.
Although city staff told Blake he needed to apply for an amendment to the bylaw, he said he was convinced a petition supported by so many would work in his favour.
But that didn’t happen. And Dennis’ speech about supporting small business didn’t make a difference either.
“I continue to be very troubled…,” Dennis told council. “…I think the current desperate time calls for unusual acts of support for our residents and our businesses.
“I’ve always said we need to roll out the red carpet for business and…I believe we need to help and support Mr. Blake.”
Dennis said council should “do what’s right.”
Vandenberg seconded Dennis’ motion and noted that normally, it would be the property owner, not Blake, filing an application for an amendment to the bylaw.
Sarnia’s General Manager of Community Services Stacey Forfar said Blake’s bylaw breach is a private property matter and that council usually doesn’t deal with site specific amendments.
Forfar said if council took any action, it would be “very unusual.”
There are some risks to council to step in to “trump” private property rights, she said.
Coun. Brian White was absent but the rest of council agreed with Forfar.
Blake thanked Dennis and Vandenberg for going to bat for him.
He said time will tell if he’s able to stay open for business.
“Obviously things are not booming right now and we don’t have (many incentives) to continue if the economy doesn’t improve,” he told The Journal.
“We don’t have money to pay fines, so if we do get fined, they doom us to bankruptcy. It’s as simple as that.”