OK to sell cars, too

PEA RIDGE — Questions about two car dealerships operating out of a lot from which a towing business operates were asked and answered, but ultimately considered irrelevant as assistant attorney Michael Niederbaumer said that as long as the businesses were legal within the zone, there was no action the city Planning Commission could take.

Planning Commissioner members questioned the fact that when permission was granted for Ted Slaughter to operate CVT Towing from the lot on the northwest corner of Weston and Slack streets, he told the commission that he would seldom sell cars.

“We approved your business ... What I need to know is how it went from towing and storage to a double car lot with transports being unloaded in the middle of Weston Street?” asked M.J.

Hensley, planner. “I’m not antibusiness ... There are a lot spaces around here that would be better for that. It’s just too crowdedthere.”

City building official Tony Townsend told planners that the lot had historically been a car lot and he thought it was okay since Ben Martinez, owner of Metro Moters, had gotten his paperwork in order. He was recently joined by Mike Thompson, owner of Pinnacle Motors.

The lot is zoned C-3, a commercial zoning, that has no restrictions on car lots, according to the attorney.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Niederbaumer said. “If there are safety issues - blocking traffic, that’s the responsibility of another organization.”