Plans for a small engine repair shop are moving forward.
Last week, the Orange County Planning Commission recommended approval of a special use permit (SUP) application to operate a small engine repair shop on a three acre, Agricultural zoned property off Mountain Track Road in Orange. The application was submitted by Winoka and Kevin Nicklow and includes an existing workshop space and the creation of a building for storage and disposal of fluids. No negative impacts to public health or environment are anticipated.
The storage building will include four 55 gallon drums, one each for storing fluids–oil, fuel, antifreeze and transmission or hydraulic fluid. The fluids would be picked up every three months by Crystal Clean which also picks up from the landfill.
Several conditions were placed on the permit including obtaining zoning permits for the use and the fluid storage building; making the roof on the building impermeable; maintaining the existing fence and vegetation/tree buffer; limiting the sign to no larger than 32 sq. ft. and 8 ft. high; requiring all repair, service and restoration to be done within the workshop with all equipment to be worked on stored behind the building or on the existing pad; ensuring lighting complies with lighting standards; and limiting hours for customer pick-up and drop-off to Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 12-5 p.m. Two additional conditions removing the property’s middle entrance and requiring a commercial entrance were removed by commissioners.
“We’re lifelong residents of this community, we raised our kids here, volunteer here and plan on retiring here,” Winoka Nicklow said. “This business is an integral part of our retirement plan. We are really invested in the development of our business and to this community.”
Nicklow asked that the condition requiring the removal of the middle entrance be eliminated as the entrance provides a safe way to exit the property.
“The residential driveway closest to the house is scary to pull out of,” she said, noting the middle entrance is an integral part of the functionality of the business.
The planning commission unanimously recommended the application for approval to the board of supervisors. No one spoke during the public hearing. The supervisors will consider the matter and host an additional public hearing during a future meeting.
