By JASON SUBIK
Staff Writer
The Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday unanimously approved a use variance that would allow a two-bay auto shop at 147 Church St., but no junk yard to go with it.
The man applying for the use variance is Joshua Warner, who wants to convert the building at that location into a business called “30A Auto Repairs.” He received approval from the Amsterdam Zoning Board of Appeals on June 4, which then referred the matter up to the county planning board.
The building is the former “Bush’s Garage” gas station.
Amanda Bearcroft, Amsterdam’s director of community and economic development, said 147 Church St. is in the city’s “Employment District,” which runs from the former FGI Plant up Church Street to the 5 Corners and then up Forest Avenue. Bearcroft said the Employment District zone, which is shaped like a reverse “L,” is aimed at allowing employment opportunities for smaller businesses.
She said the most recent business operating out of the location was a “motorcycle service station,” but the property has been vacant for more than a year.
“Joshua Warner is looking to rent the facility out and turn it back into an auto service station,” Bearcroft said. “Right now, in the existing code from when it was updated, in the ‘ED’ district we only allow for minor auto service stations, so like a Stewart’s or a gas station, like currently exists on the 5 Corners lot. What he’s looking to do won’t include auto-inspections, just more technical services, but it would still be considered a ‘major auto station’, which isn’t an allowable use in that zone, which is why he’s looking for a use variance for that location.”
Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Wayne DeMallie asked if Warner is planning to have any “junk vehicles” on the property.
Bearcroft said no.
“No, that was something we asked, because parking is only allowed in the front — there’s no parking behind the building,” she said. “The property only has parking spots off of [Route] 67, so it’s only going to be a service-in and service-out facility. The only time [vehicles] might be there [would be] if you can’t pick up your car and it has to sit overnight, and you have to pick it up the next day, but it will not be for junk vehicles, or for [extra vehicles used for] parts. It’s not going to be that type of service station. It’s just going to be to get your car serviced, in and out.”
Planning Board member Erin Covey asked whether there might be tire changes, oil changes or inspections.
DeMallie said Warner’s use variance application says no oil changes except “for relatives, but how many relatives [does a person] have?”
Bearcroft said the use variance will now go back to the city Zoning Board of Appeals for final approval, and then a site plan will be presented to the city Planning Commission.
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