Playing the waiting game: Used car dealership permit decision tabled

The Mesquite City Council was unable to break a deadlock vote on a conditional use permit for a used car dealership during its regular session on Monday. The council made a motion to table the decision until its next meeting on Feb. 18.

Shannon Rodden made an application to the city for a conditional use permit so he could open a Rodden's No Limit Motors in Mesquite and move his corporate headquarter there.

Rodden chose the former home of Hancock Mazda, 16160 I-635, as his desired dealership location.

"My wife and I started No Limit Motors while we were school teachers," Rodden said. "Our main headquarters has been in Forney. We have four other locations around the Metroplex. We have grown the business from absolutely nothing. We are looking forward to the opportunity to expand our business and make [the Mesquite location] our home base. We see it as a good long-term home base for us."

Rodden said the service center was one of the main reasons he wants to purchase the property. The property has a 13-bay service center currently.

Since Rodden's business sells used vehicles, it requires a conditional use permit to operate in Mesquite. The city's code requires that any business that sells used items has to have a council-approved conditional use permit.

Councilman Bill Porter asked Rodden about what guidelines he uses when deciding what vehicles to sell.

"Our average year model for the past year was 2006 and the average mileage was below 100,000 [miles]," Rodden said. "I have grown the business so I understand the concern."

"I am a little concerned about the 100,000 miles. I think most of the businesses over there try to do 70,000 or less," Porter said.

The council members indicated during the regular session that they generally liked Rodden's business model but were looking for a "wow factor" to allow the business in Mesquite. The city council, as part of its Project Renewal initiative, has historically been tough to gather approval to sell used products.

"I need you to kind of 'wow' me on what you are going to do to that dealership," said Dennis Tarpley, councilman. "What are you going to do to make me want to vote for this?"

Rodden said that he had every intention of making the dealership look top-notch.

"I want a professional place. I am attempting to write the book on how this business should be," Rodden said. "I will be spending about $40,000 on signs."

Councilmember Greg Noschese asked Rodden if he would be willing to restripe the parking lot where the cars would be displayed. Rodden said he had no issues with restriping the lot if that's what the council asked of him.

Noschese made a motion to pass the application for the permit with the condition added that he restripe the lot. The vote ended in a tie. Councilwoman Shirley Roberts was not in attendance at the meeting and did not vote.

Noschese made a second motion to pass the permit without the condition, and it failed by a 4-2 vote. The council then approved a motion by Noschese to table the item until its Feb. 18 meeting to allow the applicant time to figure out a way to secure the votes needed to garner council support of the application.

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