Planning Commission recommends denial of special-use permit for auto repair at 350 West Pike Street

The Lawrenceville Planning Commission on March 2 recommended denial of a special-use permit that would have allowed an automobile repair and maintenance facility at 350 West Pike Street. Commission Member Darion Ward moved to recommend denial; Vice-Chairperson Jeff West seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Staff told the commission that the property's legal nonconforming status had been vacated after a six-month discontinuance under the City's Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Section 302 (Continuance of Nonconforming Uses). Staff also said the proposed use conflicted with the City of Lawrenceville 2045 Comprehensive Plan and its Future Land Use Map designation for the Downtown Character Area, and noted similar prior Council decisions concerning automobile-related uses (including SUP2025-00101).

Proponents Robin Dixon and Terry Gibeau spoke on behalf of applicant Gerald and Fred Enterprises, LLC. No opponents spoke at the hearing. The record shows the commission based its recommendation on the zoning ordinance discontinuance and plan inconsistency rather than on a substantive vote against automobile repair in all areas.

The motion to recommend denial was recorded as moved by Commission Member Darion Ward and seconded by Vice-Chairperson Jeff West. Voting yea were Chairperson Bruce Hardy, Vice-Chairperson Jeff West, Commission Member Sheila Huff and Commission Member Darion Ward; the recommendation to deny was approved.

Next steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action consistent with Lawrenceville procedures; the transcript does not specify a Council hearing date.