Commission approves SUP amendment allowing wholesale auto dealer at 121 SE 14th St.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a specific-use permit (SUP) amendment on March 24 to allow wholesale auto‑dealer operations at 121 Southeast 14th Street in Grand Prairie, while retaining existing auto body and paint use restrictions.

City staff told the commission the property currently holds SUP‑815 for an auto body and paint shop. The applicant requested to add wholesale auto‑dealer activity — selling vehicles to other dealers or to wholesale auctions rather than retail sales to the public. Staff recommended approval with conditions: existing SUP‑815 conditions for paint booths remain in force; vehicles for sale must be stored only in designated spaces (parking spaces 9–16) or inside the building; repairs on‑site are limited to activities allowed under SUP‑815 (auto body and paint work — exterior body repairs and painting, not engine or major mechanical repairs); any on‑right‑of‑way parking used must be covered by a city license agreement; and vehicles shall not be stored in fire lanes.

Applicant Marco (Juan) Garcia and supporters noted the owners previously operated a similar business in Irving for about 10 years and described the intent to limit sales to dealer auctions. Commissioners asked about enforcement and how the city would ensure sales were wholesale-only; staff noted the city’s auto-related business registration and inspection program and that code enforcement and tax authority (sales tax collection) are complementary enforcement mechanisms.

Commissioner Janie Mendez Adakari moved to close the public hearing and approve item 5 per DRC recommendations; Commissioner Angela Lucky Vaughn seconded. The motion passed unanimously.