The Davenport Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 26 approved a special-use permit allowing vehicle sales at 2833 Hickory Grove Road, a property zoned I-1 (Light Industrial). The permit, SU25-04, was filed by Donna Van Hecke on behalf of Lolemus Auto Sales; representatives at the hearing said they operate under the name Rolle Marauder Sales.

The permit allows outdoor display and sale of vehicles at an existing auto-repair site that already contains three repair bays and two other small businesses. Staff from the Department of Neighborhood Services recommended approval, saying the proposed use is compatible with surrounding industrial uses and meets the criteria for a special-use permit.

Under the board’s approval, the property must maintain the required number of parking spaces for all businesses on the site; vehicles for sale must be parked so they are accessible and not double-parked; parking spaces must be painted or striped and clearly marked; customer parking must be signed or otherwise labeled; the applicant must obtain and maintain all required state and Davenport dealership licenses; and any significant ownership change (more than 50%) will require reapproval of the special-use permit.

At the hearing, Scott Cope of the Department of Neighborhood Services described the site and the need for a special-use permit because “outside storage requires a special use permit,” and said notices were mailed to four adjacent property owners with no comments returned. Applicants Dorcas Mokepe and Fabrice (who identified himself as the owner) stood at the podium and said they understood the parking and licensing requirements. “Yes. We understand,” Mokepe said when asked whether they understood the parking requirements.

A representative for Jumpin’ Joey’s, a business on the same parcel, asked about timing and scope for striping the parking lot. Joe Ben Hecayo asked, “How long do I have to paint those yellow stripes?” and whether handicap markings could be a posted sign rather than painted. Staff said the accessibility requirements are generally handled through third parties and that showing a contract to stripe the lot would likely be sufficient evidence of compliance.

Following brief board discussion the board unanimously approved the special-use permit with staff’s recommended conditions. Vice Chair Mike Galliard advised the applicants to complete the striping promptly: “I would suggest getting the stripes done as soon as you can.”