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Editorial Trying to find the balance between the rights of businesses and the rights of residents is an ongoing issue for any municipality, and the problem escalates when the two are in close proximity to each other. Case in point: the recent controversy between Richmond Auto Body in Amityville, which wants to expand its building, and the residents who oppose it. Add to that mix, a recently enacted Village law designed to limit additional or expanded auto uses along Merrick Road and you have a recipe for a conondrum. That is exactly what Amityville Village officials face as they attempt to make a decision to approve or deny the expansion. It would seem to us, however, that the question must be viewed in context with the current law, which was designed to enact the Village Board's vision for that are of Amityville. It must ask itself, then, whether the building expansion is merely to increase the size of his building or an effort to significantly increase business activity there, which is in oppositon to the law. Certainly, enlarging the size of a building does not necessarily mean increasing the amount of work being done inside that building, but the board has an obligation to consider that as well, and to ensure that its vision is not being ignored.
One way is to have the owners of Richmond Auto Body agree to maintain a single paint spray area in the building, which was a primary concern of residents. If the owners indeed intend to do that, as they have testified before the Board, then it should be no problem to put that in writing.
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