Peabody council denies special permit for auto storage owner

PEABODY-Much of Thursday night?s City Council meeting was dedicated to an open hearing regarding a special permit request by Four Star Service, Inc. of 222 Newbury St.The request made by owner Carol Frechette asks the Council to amend her special permit so as to delete conditions prohibiting vehicles that have been totaled, wrecked, junked, or involved in an accident on the property at any time.Frechette argued that such conditions are contradictory to her business of towing and repairing automobiles. With the current conditions, Frechette said that she has been forced to rent storage at other facilities which makes it difficult to provide quality service to her customers.?We?re trying to make a more efficient, cost effective, and more of a personal service business,” the 23-year business owner told the Council.Attorney Jack Kielty represented Frechette, saying that the amendment would be a quick fix while his client continues to look for a site large enough to store the growing number of vehicles her business attracts.A Boxboro resident opposed Frechette?s request, stating multiple permit violations over the past year. The man argued that Frechette kept too many vehicles on the property, as well as sold several cars onsite.Councilor Jim Liacos shared his reservations about the permit, stating that he, too believed there to be far more than the 14 allowed vehicles at the front of the lot.?I don?t consider myself a special permit police,” said Liacos. “The business has outgrown the location.”Liacos feared that by allowing such vehicles to be stored on the property, Peabody would become home to yet another eyesore.Councilors Anne Manning, Ted Bettencourt, and Mike Garabedian saw things a bit differently.?It?s tough enough to run a business,” said Garabedian, who as a man in the automobile industry, understands the difficulties Frechette is facing. “We need to reach out and support this.”Bettencourt shared similar feelings and requested that the Council help the Peabody businesswoman who has donated much of her own time and money to the city?s benefit.Over an hour and a half later, Councilor David Gamache made a motion to allow such vehicles to be stored on the property, so long as they are within the area of the building and kept out of public view, for a maximum of five business days.The motion failed 7-3, with Liacos, Arthur Athas, and Rico Mello voting in opposition.