Osseo Considers Revoking Permit for Auto Repair Shop
The Osseo Planning Commission voted Monday night to recommend revocation of the conditional-use permit for an auto repair business due to repeated violations that have gone on for months, officials said.
If the city council takes similar action at a future meeting, the business would have to stop operating.
According to Osseo Police Chief and City Administrator Shane Mikkelson, Makona Auto Sales, located at 337 County Road 81, has seven current permit violations. That includes too many cars parked in its lot, vehicles awaiting repairs for more than 12 hours that are not properly stored and automobile engine debris not put in a trash enclosure. Automobile painting was also occurring, another CUP violation, said Mikkelson.
“It’s really starting to wear on the staff,” said Mikkelson. “We’re spending way too much time. We’ve got thousands of dollars wrapped up in enforcement over there.”
Mikkelson said the city received complaints over the past year about alleged violations of Makona’s conditional use permit (CUP), which is required for businesses to operate in areas where they don’t fully meet zoning requirements.
Makona’s permit allows 12 vehicles to repair or sell on its property. However, police bodycam footage showed many more vehicles than that.
Mikkelson said he has spoken with the business owner, identified as Milton Kyne, on multiple occasions over the past year but issues have persisted.
“In this instance, it’s one that never got resolved,” said Mikkelson.
Richard Eskola, identified as Kyne’s attorney, said his client’s business has grown and suspects “communication breakdown” as reason for the continued issues. He told the planning commission he doesn’t “want to say Milton is blameless in that.”
“My client wants to work this out,” said Eskola.
In his 20 years with the city, Mikkelson said he remembers only one other time the city had to pursue permit revocation. That instance involved a car dealership, said Mikkelson.
The Osseo City Council will have the final say at an upcoming meeting, which is expected to be April 14.
