Residents oppose Dobbs Tire and Scooter's Coffee in Caledonia; council hears safety, traffic and property-value concerns

At a lengthy public hearing, developers seeking conditional-use permits for a Dobbs Tire & Auto (708 Caledonia Drive) and a Scooter's Coffee (130 Dalriada Boulevard) faced sustained opposition from neighborhood residents who said the uses are incompatible with adjacent high-end residential streets.

Multiple residents said the proposed uses will increase traffic at a nearby roundabout and school bus stops, create noise from auto repairs and service equipment, and pose spill and environmental risks. "This kind of project will not let the kids play freely," one resident said. Another said: "A tire and auto shop is not an appropriate addition to a residential neighborhood where $1,000,000-plus homes reside mere feet away." Public commenters also questioned whether the planned pedestrian connectivity would be preserved and urged the council to require full sidewalks, crosswalks and other pedestrian protections.

Project engineer Elliot Reed said the site is zoned C-2 General Business and that the proposed uses fit that zoning; he described site details including parking, stacking for drive-thru traffic and the developer's plan to meet stormwater and other technical requirements. Staff noted first readings only were conducted and any final action will occur in December after further review.

Council members and staff agreed to collect additional traffic and pedestrian-safety information and emphasized that the first-reading status meant no final decision was made at the Nov. 20 meeting. Developers and residents were encouraged to continue dialogue with planning staff ahead of the December meeting.