FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Planning Commission met Monday night to review and decide on two conditional use permits from Car Parts Direct. The result of the conversation was a special meeting to make the decision when it comes to the permits.

A conditional use permit is that defines what can be done and operated on a certain zone. The history of this permit goes back to February of this year. In February there was a review done by the city staff on Car Parts Direct that found multiple infractions including more than 25 cars on the property, and conflicts with traffic movement.

City staff recommended in February that the conditional use permit be revoked, but decided to give Car Parts Direct owner Jamie Johnson 90 days to apply for new or amended conditional use permits for any property where his business was active. Those locations are at the salvage lot and repair shop at 440 Winnebago Avenue and 1313 North Hampton Street which is used as a storage space with no repair shop or salvage activity being done.

City staff did not support the renewal of the conditional use permits due to both locations being incompatible with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Plan describes the neighborhood where the locations are as single-family residential and that the business would detract residents.

There were 11 conditions for City Staff to consider for the approval of these permits. Those included were that the business maintains an active industrial stormwater permit from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and follow the guidance in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency document p-p2s8 -03 “Sector M: Automotive salvage yards, that suitable impervious surface be placed beneath the storage of any vehicle or part, and that stormwater runoff is controlled and/or treated to prevent oil, gas, or other contaminants from entering the stormwater system and that there are no more than 25 vehicles at the 440 Winnebago Avenue location and 50 at the 1313 Hampton location.

The decision was made to hold a Public Commission Special Meeting to decide on the two conditional use applications. The meeting will be on Tuesday, June 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room.