Customers of the Sagebrush Cantina are delighted that the restaurant is open again, after it was destroyed in a devastating fire in 2004.
As evidence, they’ve been turning out in droves to sample the Mexican cuisine provided by owner Dia Zaraga and staff.
But at least one downtown business owner says the eatery’s reopening has hurt his business, because his clients can no longer find a place to park.
Dr. Sam Caruso, a chiropractor who has operated in the area since 1990 and whose current office resides at 25 S. Lapeer Street, told the Village Council last Monday that he is most concerned about the difficulty his patients are having accessing his office during lunch and afternoon hours.
He alluded to a wheel-chair bound patient who is incapable of physically traversing the distance from available parking to his office.
In a letter written to the council, Caruso said many of his patients have not only been inconvenienced, but have missed their scheduled appointments.
‘A fair amount of our patients are physically unable to park two to three blocks away and walk to our office,? he said. ‘Due to the lack of accessibility, these patients are unable to receive the health benefits and care provided at our office.?
To solve the problem, Caruso said he has resorted to having vehicles towed from his private lot — a measure he prefers not to take. He’s also hired a parking attendant five days a week to keep people from parking in his lot.
‘The problem has decreased (since hiring the attendant),? Caruso said, ‘but at a cost to me of about $800 to $1,000 per month.?
Caruso also claims that litter has increased since the restaurant opened, citing broken beer bottles, liquor bottles and beverage containers strewn about his lot.
Council President Bill Siver urged Caruso to talk about the matter with the Sagebrush Cantina owner and try to reach some accord.
‘This is a private matter between you two gentlemen,? said Siver, pointing out that parking has been an ongoing problem in the downtown area. ‘I hope you can get together and work this out.?
Zaraga, who was in the audience on an unrelated matter, said he would be willing to discuss the situation with Caruso and work toward finding a solution.
‘I respect where you’re coming from,? said Zaraga. ‘I’ll do all I can to help you.
‘I’m trying to work things out, too, and get along,? he continued. ‘I wasn’t aware of the litter and trash situation. But there’s a lot of foot traffic downtown.?
For its part, the Lake Orion Police Department has been keeping close tabs on motorists who park longer than the designated two-hour limit along streets in the downtown area.
At the request of Police Chief Jerry Narsh, the Village Council recently approved expanding the area subject to the two-hour parking limits.
The Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority is also working on plans to make additional spaces available for short-term public parking.