Commission denies rezoning for food trailer

The Flint Planning Commission Dec. 13 recommended the Flint City Council deny a zoning change request to allow the addition of a trailer for a Mexican food vendor on Davison Road and to approve a zoning change for an auto restoration shop on Dort Highway.

The group denied a request to change 3612 Davison Rd. from D-3 (community business) district to D-6 (general and highway commercial service) district.

Applicant Hernen Portillo said that the change is needed to put in a trailer to sell Mexican food for take-out orders and provide additional parking spaces — six spaces after the parking lot is redone and eight more on the vacant lot.

Portillo said the trailer has a water tank. It can run power from the store or from a generator.

Zoning Administrator Sheree Pearce said that the change is needed because D-3 districts do not allow outdoor sales.

Ty Spohn, who owns a house behind the property, said the trailer will attract heavy traffic and rodents. He said that he could hear people ordering food through the wood fence from his back door. He added that Portillo put signs on the fence without his permission.

The group recommended that the city council rezone 2150 N. Dort Highway from G (heavy manufacturing) to D-6 to allow a car restoration shop.

Applicant Joel Szczepaniak said he bought the property from Ross Asphalt because his business has outgrown his present property, 3157 Richfield Rd. Szczepaniak said that the new building is four times the size of the present building.

The group will meet next at 6 p.m. Jan. 24 and Feb. 14 in the city council chambers of City Hall, 1011 S. Saginaw St. Call (810) 766-7355 for details.