Council advances text amendment to allow vehicle sales in downtown CB zoning

The Stillwater City Council on March 23 voted to advance a text amendment to the city’s land development code to allow vehicle and equipment sales, rental, and service in the Commercial Business (CB) district by specific‑use permit.

Development Services staff told the council the amendment (CC‑26‑47) would define “vehicle, equipment sales, rental, and service” to include sales, rentals, incidental repair, body work and painting, and similar operations. Staff said they identified five properties currently operating as vehicle/equipment sales or service in the CB district; the amendment provides a path toward compliance for those existing nonconforming uses and allows the city to attach appropriate conditions on a case‑by‑case basis.

Staff noted the CB district includes downtown areas where parking reductions are common, and allowed vehicle repair or sales may require council‑imposed safeguards—such as controls on site layout, lighting, signage, and traffic—when reviewing a specific‑use permit. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on February 24, 2026.

A councilor asked whether a transfer of ownership would force an existing operator to reapply; staff replied no, an ongoing use remains nonconforming unless it ceases for the period specified in code (three or six months), in which case it would need to come into compliance. With no members of the public signed up to speak, the council accepted the Planning Commission recommendation and advanced the ordinance by a 5–0 vote.

Councilors and staff said the amendment gives city review authority and safeguards to prevent conflicts between traditional downtown uses and vehicle‑oriented businesses.

The ordinance will return for second reading and final action at a later meeting.