City asked to reconsider closure order

The owner of Grill sa Salinas restaurant, along Salinas Drive in Lahug, had appealed to the city government to reconsider its closure order against his establishment with the promise that he would comply with the zoning ordinance, specifically on parking lot requirements.

Chuck Wisley Gothong-Tio sent his affidavit of undertaking to city planning officer Nigel Paul Villarete asking the city to reverse its previous order and declaring his intention to rectify the violation of his restaurant and conform with the zoning law.

“Imploring consideration from the Order of Closure for and in behalf of Grill sa Salinas, I most respectfully undertake to observe the lot plan annexed hereto, which provides for an adequate number of 11 parking spaces for the patrons of Grill sa Salinas,” stated Tio’s affidavit.

Tio admitted that the closure had prejudiced his business and he vowed to the city government that he will make adjustments regarding the parking lot for his restaurant.

How will he do it? Tio explained that he will use a space, adjacent to his restaurant and beside a car wash establishment, which can easily provide 14 parking spaces, more than the 11 spaces required by law.

The Grill sa Salinas was one of the four restaurants that the city had padlocked last month for violating the parking provision of the zoning ordinance. The three others were Goodah Gud, Dhara Tapsilogan and AA-BBQ Restaurant.

Personnel of the city’s Squatter Prevention, Elimination, and Encroachment Division enforced the closure order by putting up iron railings in front of these restaurants.  

In December last year, the city planning office sent notices to these four establishments requiring them to explain why their permits should not be revoked for violating the zoning ordinance. They were also directed to submit their site development plans for further evaluation and assessment.

Greg Mejia, general manager of Goodah Gud restaurant, told The Freeman that the 15-day period imposed by the city was very short a time to comply with the requirements. He also contended that not all of the vehicles that parked by the roadsides in front of the restaurant were their customers.

Mejia said that the management has been willing to cooperate with the city in conforming to the zoning regulations so it chose to stop operations on January 23, even before the closure. Goodah Gud had an average of 300 to 500 customers daily.

For the past five years, Goodah Gud has been renting the a lot beside it for parking purposes but then the lease agreement was compromised due to an internal rift between the lot owner and the restaurant owner, Mejia said.

The AA-BBQ restaurant, for its part, opted not to comment on the closure order. — Joeberth M. Ocao/RAE