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Planning board grants Poplin Automotive conditional use permit; neighbors’ easement complaints remain civil dispute
Summary
The planning board approved a conditional use permit for Poplin Automotive to regularize a small repair shop; neighboring landowners pressed civil easement and alleged out‑of‑compliance operations, while supporters highlighted owner’s community ties. The county said easement disputes are civil matters outside permit scope.
The Washington County Planning Board voted Oct. 30 to approve a conditional use permit for Poplin Automotive, a home‑based automotive repair operation, after hearing contested testimony from neighbors and supporters.
Applicant Justin Poplin told the board he operates a small shop performing modest volumes of work (he described three to four vehicles a week) and that project vehicles on his parcel are family projects. Supporters, including neighbors and patrons, praised Poplin’s character, volunteer firefighting and mentorship of young technicians.
Opposing neighbors, however, presented photographs and sworn statements alleging the operation has run at a higher intensity, including salvage vehicles stored on site, burn piles and heavy traffic across a shared access and utility easement. One neighbor said the business had not been properly registered for taxes and provided a packet of photos and claims of repeated impacts to their property and easement. The opposing residents said they had previously pursued civil litigation relating to access and nuisance issues.
County staff and the chair advised the board that private easement and civil disputes between property owners are matters for circuit court and do not per se prevent issuance of a conditional use permit. Staff recommended conditions tailored to address neighbor concerns: limits on the number and condition of stored vehicles (no salvage), requirements for screening, and that the use remain within the scale described in the application. Neighbors said they will pursue civil remedies if conditions are not enforced.
Poplin and his wife acknowledged past disagreements with neighbors and said they maintain the driveway and dispose of fluids appropriately; the applicant said hazardous fluids are stored until taken to a recycler and that family members perform much of the work. The board approved the CUP by voice vote, with conditions intended to restrict operation to the scale described in the application and to address environmental and nuisance concerns should they arise.
Because the county enforces compliance by complaint and investigation, neighbors retain options to alert county staff or seek civil remedies in court if they believe conditions are violated.
