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Council approves special use permit for used-car lot at 1818 N. Mechanic with conditions
Summary
The council approved SUP 2025-03 for a used-car lot called Deals on Wheels at 1818 North Mechanic with conditions limiting parking to the canopy area, prohibiting on-site auto services without amendment, and requiring state dealer licensing prior to operation.
The El Campo City Council on April 28 approved Special Use Permit SUP 2025-03 to allow a used-car sales business, to be known as Deals on Wheels, at 1818 North Mechanic.
Crystal Hasselmeyer, the city’s planning director, summarized the request and staff report: the parcel contains dual uses (the front half proposed for car sales and the rear half an existing RV park), the use is surrounded by residential and commercial zones, and the applicant has a signed lease and is awaiting a state dealership license. “It is for a used car lot that is at 1818 North Mechanic,” Hasselmeyer said, and she described proposed hours and conditions included in the staff and Planning & Zoning recommendation.
Planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The conditions the council adopted include: limiting display and parking of vehicles to the area directly under the building canopy as presented; prohibiting additional auto-related services (for example, mechanical work or tire services) unless the applicant returns to the city for an amendment; and requiring county and state permits and the state dealer license prior to operation.
Council members discussed why applicants sometimes complete building improvements before formal approval; staff said permitting and inspections personnel notify applicants of the SU P process and that applicants proceed at their own risk. The council noted the property’s rear portion (the RV park) is an existing nonconforming use and staff said the property owner is cooperating to bring parts of the site into compliance where possible.
A council member moved to approve SUP 2025-03; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript excerpt. The transcript records no subsequent amendment to the permit conditions on the record.
