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Planning board approves home‑occupation for wholesale car dealer, leaves sign question for staff and DMV
Summary
The board granted a Level 2 home‑occupation permit to Saint Dynamic Venture to run a wholesale car dealership from 62 Palomino Lane, limiting use to a home office, banning on‑site vehicle display/storage and directing staff to coordinate with the DMV on sign requirements and minimize sign impact on the neighborhood.
The Bedford Planning Board on Dec. 15 granted a Level 2 home‑occupation permit to Saint Dynamic Venture LLC, allowing an online wholesale car dealership to operate from a home office at 62 Palomino Lane with conditions to protect the residential character of the street.
Applicant Emmanuel Oshene Omoaye told the board he operates an online wholesale dealership that buys vehicles at auction and resells them to licensed dealers, and that he does not transact with the public at his residence. "I'm not transacting with the public," he said, explaining that state auditors may visit to review records but customers do not come to the house.
The application drew neighborhood concern about signage and the potential for vehicles to be stored or displayed. Mark Dion, a neighbor on Palomino Lane, urged the board to keep commercial signage out of Bedford, suggesting the state’s requirements be satisfied without adding visible commercial signs in the residential area. "Keep the signage away from Bedford, the residential," he said.
Staff said the matter required board review because the state Department of Motor Vehicles requires an established place of business to display dealer identification; that requirement upgrades a home‑occupation to Level 2 when signage is present. Planning Director Becky Hebert told the board staff will contact the DMV to determine whether a no‑sign (Level 1) option can be confirmed and, if a sign is necessary, will work with Emmanuel to ensure the sign meets the minimum state size while remaining consistent with the residential character.
Priscilla Malcolm moved to grant the Level 2 home‑occupation permit with conditions: obtain all appropriate DMV approvals prior to certificate of occupancy; restrict the approval to a home office only with no on‑site vehicle storage or display; place any required sign at least 10 feet from the front property line, 50 feet from side lines and no larger than 4 square feet; terminate the permit and remove the sign if vehicles are stored or displayed on the property; and obtain a certificate of occupancy from the building department. The motion passed with the board voting in favor.
The board instructed staff to work with the applicant and the DMV to minimize sign impact and to reflect the meeting discussion in the minutes and conditions.
