The Wyandotte County Unified Government Commission voted 9–1 on Jan. 8 to send a special-use permit application for automobile sales at 1809 North 7th Street back to the planning and zoning department for further review.

Jaime Garcia, the applicant, identified himself and the property during the hearing. Former Commissioner Gail Townsend’s written opposition, read into the record, argued the used-car lot would “detract” from the Tremont residential redevelopment nearby and “oversaturate” the neighborhood with used-car lots. Townsend urged the commission to deny the permit.

Aziris Nunez, the planner assigned to the case, told commissioners the department had conducted a pre-application meeting, recommended approval with conditions and proposed a two-year permit. Staff said the recommended conditions included providing 29 vehicle spaces, ADA parking, 16 customer spaces, repaving and restriping the lot and prohibiting on-site mechanic or tire sales.

Commissioners raised two central concerns: whether the proposed use fits the Northeast Master Plan and a discrepancy between staff’s zoning designation (M-3 heavy industrial) and the Unified Government’s public zoning map, which some commissioners saw as showing a commercial-industrial designation. Commissioner Jermaine Howard moved to return the item to planning and zoning so staff could reconcile the zoning record, review compatibility with the master plan and provide additional information to the commission. The motion passed 9–1, with Commissioner Bill Burns the lone dissenting vote.

The commission’s action was procedural: it did not approve or deny the permit but directed staff to revisit the case and present findings to the commission at a later meeting.