Editor,
First – thank you Randy Lewis for bringing attention to another Mozambique planned expansion (“Enough is Never Enough for Mozambique,” Letters, April 22).
I could not be more frustrated with our city council members for the burden they have placed on our neighborhood by continuing to feed the Mozambique monster. None of our council members would sit still while their neighborhood was destroyed by a business that continues to expand despite not meeting current parking requirements.
Before Mozambique began their many expansions, we had a very peaceful neighborhood. We have 17 housing units in the 300 block of Flora Street. Each unit has at least two cars, and some, as many as four cars. Our little street is parked to capacity with resident cars. We all got along and worked together to sort out the parking – that is until the Mozambique monster arrived.
Now, restaurant employees are issued passes to park in our neighborhood past the quiet zone hours. Last Sunday, I counted 17 cars with employee placards parked within two blocks of our house (yes, and some are still there the next morning – what is that about?). This has pitted neighbor against neighbor in a constant parking war.
Why is our neighborhood the employee parking lot for Mozambique? They should be providing off-street parking for both their employees and patrons. The reason is that the city council has continually approved Mozambique’s business expansion plans despite the fact that they are nowhere near providing the minimum parking for their business.
Enough is enough. No more expansion without providing parking to meet current zoning standards.
Meg Monahan, Laguna Beach
Thank you Meg for expressing the frustration felt my so many of your neighbors! As I said before the Planning Commission last night (which by the way DENIED their request for variance to add additional square footage!) I enjoy walking to Mozambique to have dinner with friends. But what I do not enjoy is the incredible lack of common courtesy with regards to the impact in our neighborhood as a result of Mozambiques employees parking away from the restaurant and in front of our homes! I would say to Mozambique that your neighbors support your business and spend quite a bit of money there and in return we only ask that you support our desire to provide parking by our homes for our family, friends and yes…us.
Thank you Meg for expressing the frustration felt my so many of your neighbors! As I said before the Planning Commission last night (which by the way DENIED their request for variance to add additional square footage!) I enjoy walking to Mozambique to have dinner with friends. But what I do not enjoy is the incredible lack of common courtesy with regards to the impact in our neighborhood as a result of Mozambique’s employees parking away from the restaurant and in front of our homes! I would say to Mozambique that your neighbors support your business and spend quite a bit of money there and in return we only ask that you support our desire to provide parking by our homes for our family, friends and yes…us.