Lee's Summit council advances 5-year special-use permit for Auto Dreams after past violations

The Lee's Summit City Council on Aug. 4 voted unanimously to advance the second reading of an ordinance renewing a special-use permit for Auto Dreams LLC to operate automotive sales, service and repair at 1231 Southeast Century Drive for five years.

The renewal follows staff and applicant work to graft the business's expanded activities into compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance. Hector Sotto Jr., senior planner for the city, told the council the filing packages include a recommended five-year permit with conditions that require paving former gravel parking areas and meeting specific improvement benchmarks.

“...with this application we're doing 1, like I mentioned, renewal, and then 2, is with the Special Use Permit and the conditions associated with it, create a path by which we are looking to bring the property into compliance for all aspects of the activity that's going on in the property,” Sotto said.

Owner Josh Williams acknowledged the site had been the subject of code violations tied mainly to vehicle parking on gravel and said that expansion of operations during the COVID-19 period made the additional parking necessary. “The only violations I'm guilty of are parking cars on gravel,” Williams said, adding he preferred a longer permit but accepted the council's conditions.

The staff presentation described an approved final development plan that would replace most of the gravel drive with paved surfaces and add a covered canopy area for displayed vehicles. The plan aims to stop cars from parking on unpaved surfaces and to formalize the repair work that began at the site about five years ago.

Council members discussed the term length and the site's history of violations. Sotto said staff recommended a five-year renewal because the property has prior violations and the shorter term gives the applicant time to demonstrate sustained compliance.

Council member Rader read the ordinance to advance the item to second reading as bill number 25-137; the council recorded a 7-0 vote to advance the ordinance.

The approval to advance does not itself adopt the permit; it moves the ordinance toward a final vote at a subsequent meeting. The special-use permit ordinance will return for second reading, at which time the council may adopt, amend or further condition the permit.