The City District Hearing Committee approved a change on Wednesday that allowed a couple to open an auto repair shop in a building on South Kettle Street. The building used to have a similar business, but its grandfather status has lapsed.
According to Mike Adams, the attorney for the Williams couple, Rodney and Nanette Williams of Legacy Auto Worx have always been under the impression of real estate agents that there will be no zoning issues when opening a store in a nearby business district.
Adams said they learned that there was a problem when they applied for a business license because more than a year had passed since the earlier store ceased operations.
"Someone should provide me with clues," Rodney Williams said.
According to Rebecca Brown, Director of Regulations and Inspections, the Williamses were one month behind the deadline.
Adams said that the Williamses paid $273,000 for the property on the corner of Hudson Avenue and invested an additional $150,000 to prepare the store.
According to Rodney Williams, the building is not really suitable for housing.
Adams said that there are other commercial properties nearby, including an auto repair shop across the street from Kettle, so commercialization should not be a problem.
Someone has observed that just across from Hudson, the zone has changed and the repair shop is allowed.
Williams said that Kettle is a busy street with many trucks.
In addition, Williams said there is "very high demand" for car repair services in the region.
Williams said there is enough street parking for the proposed six employees and the number of potential customers in the store.
The board of directors unanimously approved the change, but the store must not exceed its proposed business hours, which are Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.
Brown said the city government wants real estate agents to inform their clients about zoning considerations when they promote properties.
Attorney Bill Stokan said that before the grandfather's permission expires, people working with the Williams family may tell them there are no zoning issues.
The phone number of Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is 814-949-7038.
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