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Planning commissioners back CUP amendment allowing auto-repair expansion and six outdoor vehicle stalls
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit amendment to expand an existing auto‑repair business into an adjacent tenant space and to allow outdoor storage of up to six passenger vehicles, forwarding the decision to City Council on June 1, 2026. Commissioners noted HOA enforcement and signature verification remain outstanding questions.
The City of Blaine Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) amendment that would allow an existing auto‑repair business to expand into the neighboring tenant space and store up to six passenger vehicles outdoors.
Staff planner Alex told commissioners the property is zoned I‑1 and that CUPs for the two tenant spaces were originally approved in 2010 and 2019. Alex said inspections discovered the business had moved into the adjacent suite and removed a dividing wall without a building permit; a violation notice was issued in October 2025. Staff recommended approval of the amendment with eight conditions, including addressing outstanding fire and building code items by the October 1 deadline and clearly designating the six outdoor spaces for the business.
Applicants Mohaso Imo and Hossein Natai, present at the meeting, disputed what they described as misrepresentations from the prior hearing and said they believed they were complying with city requirements. “We are complying with everything,” one co‑owner said, and noted other tenants in the gated property store vehicles outdoors as well.
Commissioners focused questions on the petition and tenant signatures staff said were required: staff requires either a condo association representative or signatures from at least 50% of the building’s tenants; the applicants submitted signatures that staff included in the meeting packet. Commissioners asked how the city verifies signatures, and staff replied the city does not door‑knock to confirm but accepts submitted signatures and relies on the association and applicant to ensure accuracy.
A commissioner moved to approve the CUP amendment as presented and another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission voted to approve the request and the matter will go to the City Council on June 1, 2026. Commissioners reiterated that enforcement of HOA or association rules falls to the association, not the Planning Commission or city staff.
