What’s become a big issue involving a small home-based business will be front and centre Tuesday.
The City of Belleville and Juan Hernandez, owner of several food and drink vending machines on his driveway on Octavia Street will present their cases to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in an online hearing.
Last December council voted against Hernandez’ application for rezoning to allow the vending machine operation to continue, effectively putting him out of business. The machines have been in place since 2017.
Under current zoning in the neighbourhood a home-based business must be inside, not outside, and the majority on city council believes allowing the business to continue will lead to others springing up in other neighbourhoods.
Hernandez is appealing the decision saying his business doesn’t cause traffic issues and serves the neighbourhood.
“The city said oh there’s seven convenience stores in the area, we don’t need this (his machines), there’s a 10-minute walk or whatever, well a 10-minute walk for an elderly person? That’s a lot!”
Hernandez also contravened city regulations by building a wooden shelter over the machines without a permit. However, he says city officials have always been aware of what he was doing and never told him to stop, until recently.
Most of the correspondence to the city during the rezoning application process has been in support of Hernandez and there’s been overwhelming support for his business on social media.
It’s not known if any decision will be rendered at Tuesday’s LPAT “merit” hearing.
