[Rick Lee]

Just got back from my hearing and the use permit was denied. Five neighbors showed up and two of them were represented by a lawyer. Not joking. This guy was out of central casting, just a dramatic bag o’doosh. If I had been a judge, it would have been hard to seriously consider any argument he made. The hearing officer did interrupt him a few times to remind him that what he was claiming I was doing was something I had already addressed and explained how I was not doing it.

Anyway, the reason given for the denial was negative impact on property values. Mind you the three other neighborhood FFLs and non-permitted businesses have been left alone and, so they obviously haven’t impacted property values. I need to find out if I appeal, whether I only have to address that one reason with no new issues allowed to be brought up. Or is it starting the process all over again? And an appeal is another $490 fee. Maybe I can just reapply for my FFL and hope my app gets assigned to a different examiner who doesn’t require me to get the use permit.