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<br />? <br />contention is there can be no trailers stored at the rear of the property. The area must be kept clear in <br />order to facilitate the egress of people away from the building in case of a fire. Mr. Simms said that the <br />way the trailers are situated, it will not hinder the fire department. The use of the trailers is a necessity for <br />him to get through the holiday season. He said he cannot function successfully this Christmas without <br />permission to have the trailers. He is working right now on getting a warehouse to alleviate the problem <br />but he will not be successful. Mr. Engoglia showed Mr. Simms the letter that was submitted by the fire <br />department. Mr. Simms mentioned there are other companies in North Olmsted that have trailers on their <br />properties. . He added that those stores do not bring in the kind of money that Wal-Mart does. He is <br />bringing iri $2 million worth of inventory for sale between Thanksgiving and December 2e. He said the <br />store will fail without the trailers. Mr. Engoglia said the board is not there to give Wal-Mart a difficult <br />time. They like what Wal-Mart does for the city but there are other people that surround Wal-Mart that <br />the board has an allegiance to. They are anary because this is the fourth time the request was denied, and <br />Wal-Mart then pays a fine and goes about its business. He said unless this stops, the board will not give <br />permission. Mr. Simms said Wal-Mart did not get ofF on the right foot with the city and he wants to <br />change that. Mr. Engoglia asked about the remodeling plans for next year. Mr. Simms indicated he is not <br />certain what the plans are right now. Mr. Simms said the trailers are there because of the success of the <br />store and in order for them to go away, the building has to be enlarged. The store cannot do $75 million <br />worth of business and continue in this capacity. Mr. Puzzitiello asked if they own the store or if it is <br />leased. Mr. Simms said he does not believe they own the property. Mr. McKay, the councilman for that <br />area, indicated that Wal-Mart owns the property. Mr. Puzzitiello asked if the applicant has anything in <br />writing that indicates they will be enlarging the store. Mr. Simms said he will try to get something in <br />writing. W. Puzzitiello said that in May he proposed they use a row of shrubs to conceal the trailers. He <br />said he walked the grounds and it can be done, and should have been done at that time. Mr. Puzzitiello <br />said he wants to see something in writing from the home office before they issue a permit so they can see <br />what they plan to do with the store. Councilman McKay came forward to address the board. He pointed <br />out he is the councilman in the area. He said when the store was built, the Wal-Mart folks were very <br />difficult to get along with. There was no compromise whatsoever. He indicated that Mr. Miller, <br />Councilman-at-Large, and another gentleman from the area went out and took pictures of various Wal- <br />Marts. They asked questions of WaI-Mart representatives. The representatives were asked if they sell <br />anything out of the parking lot and the answer was no. Yet, they had a picture from out in Medina where <br />they had roped off the handicapped parking and were selling garden materials. The Planning Commission <br />told Wal-Mart at that time that they would not be allowed to do that. He said the residents in his ward call <br />him to ask what is going on and to ask why the tr.ailers haven't been taken care of. They know full well <br />Wal-Mart was told not to use that parking lot for anything but parking. If this is Christmas material for <br />children, he does not want to deny a child a happy day on Christmas. But if it is other merchandise, he <br />would be very unhappy because this has been going on and ori with evidently no effort to repair the <br />situation. He pointed out the city has an industrial park where something can be built. He said that a plan <br />to alleviate the situation is in: order. Mr. McKay asked if the trailers will be in any other location other <br />than the west end of the building out to Country Club Blvd: Mr. Simms then reviewed the diagram with <br />Mr. McKay to indicate the area where the trailers will be located. Mr. McKay said that every spring they <br />bring out garden materials and stack it along the parking areas and leave it out there. He has to contact <br />the building department, who in turn contacts Wal-Mart to move it. The business with the trailers comes <br />up every year and he is the guy who has to answer to it. He is asking for Wal-Mart to make some other <br />arrangements to take care of this. He added the city has an ordinance with regard to the parking of trailers <br />and he does not believe they have a location where it is allowed. Mr. Miller, Councilman-at-Large, came <br />forward and indicated he has been involved with the Wal-Mart project since it went before the Planning <br />Commission. He. agreed with Mr. McKay that Wal-Mart has been uncooperative with the various boards <br />and commissions in many aspects. The issue of taking up in excess of forty parking spots at another <br />location and selling outdoor items was discussed at those meetings and when confronted with photos, they <br />agreed there would be no outside sales of any products. This includes the pop machines that are outside <br />2