Opposition mounts to plan to regulate Aurora auto repair shops

Expect there to be more mechanics at Aurora city hall Tuesday than in a NASCAR pit row.

Thought by some aldermen to be a dead issue, a plan to license and regulate auto mechanics in Aurora has resurfaced and appears headed for debate by the city council.

Seventh Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, who is also chairwoman of the city's government operations committee, originally proposed the ordinance last fall, but it quickly fell to the wayside after many shop owners complained.

In November, Hart-Burns said the proposed ordinance was designed to rectify noise, parking and other nuisance problems caused by garages in residential areas.

Other aldermen have speculated the proposed law also serves as a blanket solution to deal with an east-side "chop shop" accused of illegal dealings.

Under the proposed ordinance, which is being fought by several aldermen and mechanics alike, all auto repair shop owners and shade tree mechanics would be required to obtain a $100 annual city license and post a $5,000 bond.

It also would limit hours of operation from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and require daily customer logs be made available to Aurora police.

Fourth Ward Alderman Rick Lawrence said the ordinance is unnecessary because state and local noise and parking laws already address the issues that worry Hart-Burns.

"As an alderman, I already have the necessary tools at my disposal to address concerns. In the rare situation where an owner may not be cooperative, we have been able to work together with our police department, zoning and property standards to enforce existing laws and regulations to address the concern," he said.

"Politicians talk about supporting small business and how they are the key to our economy and the success of our community, but this will only discourage business, including those that operate successfully and cooperatively, and create an unfriendly and adversarial atmosphere in which to operate."

Alderman at Large Richard Irvin fears the ordinance could be "selectively enforced."

"The alderman would be better served to address the issue she has with the particular business owner, rather than telling the automobile mechanic industry how to run their businesses and function," Irvin said.

Brian Barnwell, the owner of Brian's Auto Service for nine years on Oliver Avenue, said the proposed ordinance wouldn't put him out of business but the license and bond would put him "in a very tough situation."

Barnwell has two residences within 500 feet of his garage but he said he understands the need to limit noise.

"I'm a pretty conscientious business owner and I understand the need to get along with my neighbors so that's fine," he said. "My single biggest issue is that they would require us to have local business licenses but that wouldn't be required of any other business."

City spokeswoman Amy Roth said the city doesn't keep track of how many automotive shops operate within its boundaries.

"With some type of licensing we could better regulate the repair shops out there whether they are legitimate or not," Roth said. "But the ordinance was based on getting cars off the streets, not trying to put anyone out of business."

Erin Lyle, co-owner of Marty's Auto on Rathbone Avenue, said she views the proposal as discriminatory and has organized a phone tree to let mechanics know about the ordinance and the possibility of it coming for a vote on Tuesday.

"We have three houses right next to us and we've never had a noise or nuisance issue," she said. "They're not picking on tattoo parlors or grocery stores or anybody else."

Third Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit said she thinks the issue needs to be discussed but said she would not support any final ordinance that would hurt small business owners "struggling to make it in this economy."

Fifth Ward Alderman John "Whitey" Peters said he would not support the ordinance either.

"I've got four shops in my ward that would be affected by this and that would be unfortunate," Peters said. "They're four of the best business owners I've got."

The governmental operations committee meets at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by the city council at 6 p.m.