By Lindell J. Kay | lkay@springhopeenterprise.com | 252-265-8117
SPRING HOPE — Town commissioners have approved a zoning change to allow new automotive repair businesses in the town’s central business district.
The board voted unanimously during Monday’s meeting to approve the change as requested by Harold Denton, who owns Denton Automotive on Pine Street.
The change will allow Denton to request a special use permit to expand onto a recently purchased adjacent lot while opening the door for any new auto shop that receives a similar permit.
Before the change, new auto shops weren’t allowed in the town’s central business district.
Commissioner Brent Cone said automotive businesses typically look bad and residents complained at the last board meeting about the town’s poor appearance.
“I think it’s a good thing to have businesses as long as we can control it,” Cone said in reference to the town’s appearance. He said grandfathered businesses should be made to comply with new appearance rules.
Cone, who lives within sight of Denton’s business, said there’s a vehicle on Denton’s property that hasn’t moved in seven years.
“The rear gate is off,” Cone said. “There’s parts in the back. There’s parts falling out. There’s parts falling over the wall.”
Cone recognized Denton’s solid reputation and quality of work.
“Harold Denton, we want you in this town,” Cone said. “We need you in this town...But, there’s 1,300 people in this town who want a better looking community.”
Cone said a correspondent for Our State Magazine came to town, but wouldn’t write a story about Spring Hope’s charms because of the town’s appearance.
After several minutes of discussion, the board determined to vote on the change for new auto businesses and revisit old businesses at a later date.
The board wants to ensure older auto shops also comply with appearance rules established for new auto businesses.
Denton’s business is grandfathered for zoning purposes. He moved to the Pine Street location from rural Franklin County in the early 1990s.
Denton parked cars along Pine Street for years. After complaints, the state ordered Denton to stop parking vehicles along Pine Street in August 2017.
Denton purchased the adjacent lot in January. He wrote a letter to the town in July seeking a special use permit to join his existing business to the empty lot.
Denton said he not only performs repair work for individuals, his mechanics also work on vehicles for 10 used car dealerships and three finance companies.
“We have had customers tell us they didn’t know Spring Hope even existed until they had to bring their cars to us,” Denton said in his letter. “I feel certain that very few businesses in the central business district can say as much.”
The town’s planning board determined last month that Denton’s request is consistent with the town’s land use plan, which includes allowances for local economic growth.
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