Planning commission asks German Auto Works for updated CUP site plan after compliance concerns

The Montrose Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a compliance check of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for German Auto Works, a long-running auto sales and restoration business along Highway 12, and directed the owner to provide an updated site plan for amendment consideration at the June meeting.

Commissioners said the original 2015 CUP limited display to seven vehicles in the paved front area and prohibited inoperable or unlicensed vehicles in display spaces. "It was supposed to be, 7 automobiles," said Chuck Smallwood during discussion of the permit conditions. Members pointed to aerial and Google imagery showing substantially more vehicles on site and flagged possible environmental and fire-access concerns near a watershed used by a nearby elementary school.

The business owner, who identified the operating company as Wolfsburg Properties, described a combined sales-and-restoration model that draws customers from across the Upper Midwest and said the back lot includes long-term restoration projects and customer cars awaiting repair. "I have 15 currently, I have 15 cars marked for sale out there," the owner said, describing seasonal spikes and a mix of sales, service and collector vehicles. He told the commission the paved area on site has grown since 2015 and that the company can provide drawings and mitigation such as screening or slats on the chain‑link fence.

Staff and commissioners walked through the CUP's metric for vehicle display (about 380 square feet per vehicle or a 70-by-42-foot paved area for seven cars) and advised that an amendment to the CUP with an updated, scaled site plan is the appropriate remedy. Commissioners also recommended checking striping, clarifying which areas are for display versus storage, confirming any easement with the neighboring property (O'Brothers) and coordinating with the fire department about a Knox box and emergency access.

The commission did not vote to revoke or change the CUP at the meeting. Instead members asked the owner to submit a site plan and ownership documentation in advance of the commission's June meeting so staff can prepare an amendment application and the commission can consider compliance options.