A plan to expand an auto sales business in a semi-residential area will proceed, following the Perham City Council's zoning change at the Dec. 10 meeting.
But the request, by Nyhus Auto Sales on the 3rd Ave. corridor, drew opposition from two nearby property owners.
In letters to the city, Lina Belar and Steve Peloquin both expressed their concern that the zoning change would have a negative impact on the neighborhood. Peloquin operates his law practice in a former home north of the Nyhus lot.
"It is not compatible with the atmosphere of the neighborhood," said Peloquin, who said Nyhus has been a good business for the community, and it should have the opportunity to expand--but not there, he said.
The present Nyhus lot is zoned "highway commercial" which allows more intensive business use. One door down is a home, and the next lot is Peloquin's. Those lots, as well as most of 3rd Ave. to Main Street, are zoned "service commercial," which allows businesses such as a law office, service businesses and specialty shop retail.
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Nyhus gathered 22 signatures for the rezoning request petition, out of 27 neighboring property owners. This totalled 81.5 percent who did not object to the zoning change.
Nick Nyhus explained that his plan was to purchase the house next door, demolish the home and create a parking service so he could display more vehicles. But this would require a zoning change, plus a conditional use permit to operate at the location.
The city's planning and zoning commission recommended approval for the zoning change, but attached a number of conditions--including a six-foot screening fence around the auto lot, and a five-foot setback from the edge of the asphalt to the property line.
Councilmember Harriet Mattfeld, who was the lone vote against the zoning change, expressed concern that it could start a trend for more intense commercial use "creeping" north on 3rd Ave.
Resident Dan Johnson, who lives on the other side of 3rd, said he was not concerned specifically with the Nyhus plan, but he was concerned that similar commercial zoning may "creep" through residential areas to the east, toward the fairgrounds.
Councilman Tim Meehl, noting that Nyhus operates a good lot, with quality vehicles, made a motion to change the zoning to Highway Commercial. The motion passed 3-1.
