Heritage Automotive received special exception from the Board of Appeals for a used car lot at 401 East Poinsett Street.
The car lot was formerly Lucky's Auto Sales. The property is zoned C-2 commercial. The special exception exists as the property remains active. It expired July 2010 when Lucky's went out of business and Wade was seeking a new exception.
Glenn Pace, Planning and Zoning Coordinator, said his staff recommended approval.
Lee Stegall, of Masston Signs, was seeking a variance for a larger Spinx sign at 1233 Wade Hampton Blvd. The board recommended denial. Amendments to the signage ordinance for the Hwy. 29 overlay district resulted in a tie vote. Glendora Massey and Ben Rogers voted for the revised variance and Joan Nelson and T.D. Campbell voted no. Tom McAbee and Ben Rogers abstained.
Masston agreed to withdraw his request for a variance and stay within the 180 square foot guideline for the Highway 29 overlay district. At issue was the Spinx oval logo that extends above the sign.
The property for Heritage Automotive "required much vision", Wade said. He told the board he planned to renovate the property completely. Wade's bullet point presentation showed he planned to remove the damaged fence in front of the property, repair and replace lighting fixtures with professional grade fixtures and clean up the back property to the railroad easement.
The intermediate property goals, pending finances, include resurfacing the pavements, design a landscape plan and completely relight the property. "Long term I plan to remove the existing building and construct a new facility that would blend into the landscape of the city," Wade said.
"The autos will be priced under $10,000," Wade said. "This is not a buy here pay here used car dealer."
Wade is former general manager for Greer Nissan and was the training manager for Bradshaw Automotive Group.
City Council is expected to give first reading to Wade's request on March 13.