Committee conditionally approves used-car sales CUP pending Town of Hayward sign-off

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on June 11 approved Conditional Use Permit 25-042 for SMM Properties LLC (care of David Farley) to operate a used-car sales establishment at a Commercial-1 property in the Town of Hayward, conditioned on the Town of Hayward’s approval.

Jay (zoning staff) reported that Wisconsin DOT had issued state permits but had required municipal approval on the DOT form; in this case the city of Hayward signed the DOT form but the property is in the town, which falls under county jurisdiction. Jay said the town board had tabled the request previously because the applicant did not attend town meetings; the city did not object.

Applicant David Farley told the committee his omission was an error in filling out forms and said the business would be limited to buying and selling vehicles (no vehicle repairs on site) and would store no more than 48 vehicles for sale at any given time. He said hours would be 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with appointment business common.

After discussion about options — approve, deny, table or approve contingent on town approval — Dale Magnuson moved to approve the CUP with conditions: county land use permit and fees, a cap of 48 vehicles on the property at any time, compliance with Wisconsin DOT regulations and hours, no parking within the state highway right of way, and the requirement that the Town of Hayward approve the CUP. Marshall Savitsky seconded. The motion passed on a 4–1 roll-call vote; Ron Buchholz voted no.

Staff indicated DOT would be notified if the committee did not act; if the town later denies the CUP the committee could revisit the matter.