Somerville committee recommends Union Square Auto Sales’ used-car license for council approval

The Licenses and Permits Committee of the Somerville City Council voted unanimously to recommend approval of a Class 2 used-car dealer license for Union Square Auto Sales, proposed for 39 Webster Avenue. Attorney Adam Dash and operator Chris Zvigos told the committee the location was previously used as a dealership and the new operator seeks to continue the same use with the same hours and the same number of cars on site.

The committee opened a public hearing on item ID 25-17O2 and heard from Dash, who said the applicants are forming a new LLC to operate the business at that address and that the city’s licensing process — including a bond requirement, two letters of recommendation and criminal background checks for principals — provides guardrails for oversight. “They just need their own license,” Dash said, describing the application as a continuation of a preexisting use.

Councilor Wheeler asked about a pattern of multiple automotive applications and whether operators sometimes change business names, which can complicate tracking of repeat violations. Dash responded that this is a brand-new business unconnected to the prior operators at the location and reiterated that the applicants had previously obtained approvals for a different location under a separate company. Chris Zvigos, identified by counsel as one of the operators, told the committee he was not aware of complaints at their other Somerville location and said customers had been satisfied.

The committee closed the public hearing after no other members of the public requested to speak and laid the item on the table for a final vote. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted by roll call to recommend the license application to the full City Council (Davis: yes; Wheeler: yes; Hart: yes).

The full City Council is scheduled to take up the recommendation at its next meeting.