Council Allows Hoist to Remain at Shop

Despite complaints by residents and nearby businesses, the Simi Valley City Council this week voted to allow a mechanic to continue using an outdoor vehicle hoist for repairing oversized vehicles.

The council voted unanimously Monday to allow use of the 6,000-pound hoist, which was installed in early 1997 at Chip’s Brake & Muffler without city approval.

According to shop owner Chip Reeves, it is the only repair shop lift in Simi Valley large enough to accommodate vehicles longer than 24 feet, such as recreational vehicles.

But neighbors of the garage at 1382 E. Los Angeles Ave. say the equipment is too noisy.

“The noise level has gone up the last two years,” said Robert Szczesiak, manager of the nearby Pepper Tree Apartments for senior citizens at 1415 Patricia Ave. “It’s not very attractive.”

Lina Lancelotti, whose father owns German Import Service, told the council the hoist is hurting their business too.

“Our customers can’t get through to our business,” she said.

Lancelotti warned that allowing the hoist to remain could convince other businesses to break city codes.

In voting to allow Reeves’ equipment, the council determined that the hoist was not the only part of the business violating city code. The back wall of the complex, which is supposed to be 6 feet high, is only about 3 feet.

The council decided that the height of the wall surrounding the hoist should be 8 feet and the remainder of the wall along the rear of the complex should be 6 feet.