LAKE FOREST PARK— A local business owner who has been commended for donating fuel oil to needy families recently found out he isn’t too far away from being in need himself.
Dallas Gigrich, a Lake Forest Park resident, found out April 27 that he was no longer permitted to operate his business, “Tanks by Dallas.” That morning, police officers arrived at the residential home where his business is headquartered, in the 17500 block of Ballinger Way, and stapled a red placard on the garage door. This notice indicated all work must stop and that Gigrich had four violations, each with a fine of $250.
“It is unbelievable,” Gigrich said. “We thought the city was working with us.”
Gigrich and his 10 employees, most of whom are family members, decommission and remove oil tanks. His business has received attention for their continuous donation of excess oil to about 100 families who otherwise would not have heat in the winter. Gigrich was previously nominated for the Jefferson Award, which recognizes service to those in need, and has been commended for his work by Gov. Gary Locke.
Although he operates his business in a residential area, Gigrich said he was under the impression that the city would help him continue his operation, especially since he assists needy families and is a good neighbor. The Lake Forest Park location, Gigrich said, is merely where the phones are answered. The rest of the work is done off the property, at other people’s homes.
A few months ago, Gigrich said he met with Mayor Dave Hutchinson, City Administrator Karen Haines and Planning and Development Manager Ty Peterson. The mayor at that point said he was impressed with what Gigrich was doing to help the community and Gigrich said he made an agreement with city officials that would allow him to continue operating his business at a residential location. The agreement stipulated that no pumping of oil, or depositing of oil tanks, would occur on the property.
“Maybe we violated a rule or ordinance,” Gigrich said. “But I think sometimes you have to weigh in service to the community.”
The main reason why his business has been halted, he believes, is because neighbors, one in particular, have filed complaints with the city. This is absurd, Gigrich said, because several of his neighbors have excess cars or other material on their property. Gigrich also knows of other businesses, similar to his own, that operate on residential property. The difference, he believes, is that those neighbors do not complain.
“I don’t see how the city can be aware of something and if nobody complains they look the other way,” Gigrich said. “I want to be treated like anybody else.”
Jack McGinnis, a neighbor of Gigrich, who has lived in the area for 33 years, said a group of 14 homeowners submitted a petition to the city, stating Gigrich is operating a business without a license. The neighborhood is residential, McGinnis said, and the neighbors noticed that a contractor was using the property for other purposes, and not as a homeowner.
City Administrator Karen Haines said that although home occupations are allowed, this one does not fall under specified criteria, which mandates that people engaged in the business must reside at the house, and can have only one outside employee. Gigrich’s 18-year-old son, who is the only family member who lives at the property, is the only one eligible to conduct business at the home, Haines said.
This issue has been ongoing since last Nov. and in Jan. city staff were able to obtain sufficient information to review whether Gigrich’s business met the conditions for home occupation, which they did not.
A notice of correction was issued, Haines said, and the city was trying to work with Gigrich. Shortly after, an inspection of the property indicated that the business had ceased operating. Then, at the April 8 Council meeting, several neighbors complained.
“They provide oil to low income families, which is very commendable and we certainly support that,” Haines said. “But we cannot allow them to operate a business in a residential zone contrary to city code.”
If the business activity were limited to inside the home, that would be acceptable, Haines said. However, because the business has several outside employees and is located across from Towne Center, employees park in the mall parking lot and walk across the street to go to the house.
Gigrich is prepared to meet any requests city officials have, just as long as he does not have to shut down his business.
“I don’t know what to do,” Gigrich said. “I’ve got two house payments, I don’t know how I cannot work.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
