By Karen Barone
"One Friday night my 10-year-old daughter counted 30 cars in 30 minutes that turned down my block," said Kallis. "The opening of Charlie Brown's has impacted my life tremendously."
Karl Erichsen, owner of Beckmann's Deli on Union Avenue for 30 years, is not happy either. He admits to calling the police department when the parking spots in front of his establishment are used by patrons of the restaurant, who park there for hours at a time, with no regard for his business or the 15 minute parking restrictions.
"It's a problem and if it doesn't get better, I will hire someone to chase the people away," said Erichsen. "Eventually people will get it through their heads."
Charlie Brown's Steak House has 40 dining tables and an onsight parking lot with 41 spaces. Compounding the problem, they staff roughly 100 employees, the majority of whom drive to work, making the parking situation a sore spot for the residents who now find their once strictly residential streets lined with cars.
Kallis is additionally concerned because those cars that turn into Donna Court and then realize it's a dead end street are forced to back out of the block, making the situation dangerous as well as annoying. She approached restaurant management more than a month ago and they reached an understanding that employees would not park on her block and alternate parking options would be explored. She admits the situation has improved some, but not enough to restore her block to the peaceful place it once was.
After hand delivering a collective letter of complaint from homeowners on Donna Court and some from surrounding streets to the village, Kallis and her neighbors spoke at the March 3 village board meeting. Mayor Gene Scarpato assured them that for the number of seats in the restaurant, Charlie Brown's has the legal number of parking spaces. He also conveyed his confidence that Charlie Brown's would work to resolve the situation.
Board members attribute the parking problem to the newness of the establishment and for months have asked local residents to be patient with the restaurant. However, even though the restaurant reduced its staff by a third and stopped offering free meals to lure patrons in, the Scranton and Union intersection is still flooded with cars.
"I know the village needs the business, I have considered all the positives of having a thriving business here, but this has destroyed the peaceful enjoyment of my neighborhood," said Kallis
Scarpato encouraged the disgruntled residents to come up with a reasonable plan for any parking restrictions they would like to see implemented on the block. If residents can get their plan together by the end of the week, Scarpato said he is prepared to pass such a resolution at the next village board meeting on March 24. He cautioned them to be careful what they ask for though, reminding the residents that they will also have to abide by any new village street parking rules.
Senior Vice President for Charlie Brown's, Craig Godfrey, said he is aware of the need for additional parking and says that the restaurant is currently looking to utilize other local parking lots, specifically for employee parking. "We are very sensitive to our neighborhood communities," he said. "Our company has always been a local, neighborhood restaurant and it would not do us any good not to be welcome in our own neighborhood."
He also said that, if necessary, they will double their efforts to resolve any parking issues, even if they have to personally police the area.
"I don't want to be adversarial," said Kallis. "But this is not a joke, this is where I live."
