Osseo Council Moves Ahead With Plans To Revoke Permit for Auto Business
The Osseo City Council is one step away from effectively closing an auto business with repeated permit violations.
“I don’t feel good about potentially closing a small business in our town,” Council Member Mark Cook said. “I don’t feel good about that. There’s nothing that feels good about that. I am a small business owner in this town. But I also — I use the space the way that it was agreed.”
Makona Auto Sales, located at 337 County Rd. 81, has at least seven open permit violations according to interim City Administrator Shane Mikkelson.
“The Osseo Police Department has spent many hours in staff time over the past year dealing with many violations at [Makona],” he wrote in memo to the council. “Since April of 2024, we have received numerous complaints from citizens and neighboring business owners. Complaints have ranged from parking issues to garbage in the back of the business.”
The permit allows for up to 12 vehicles to be stored at the property. However, police have documented several incidents where there have been 13 or more vehicles on-site.
Mikkelson said employees had been painting vehicles on-site without a permit.
Meanwhile, the inspection records note that unlicensed vehicles have been parked on the street in front of the business while awaiting repair. Old tires or other automobile debris have also been left stacked in plain sight.
Video footage show alleged conditional use permit violations at Makona Auto Sales in Osseo.
Multiple businesses appear to be operating out the property in violation of the conditional use permit.
An attorney representing owner Milton Kayne told the council that efforts are underway to bring the property into compliance.
Kayne wants to work with the city to renegotiate the terms of his conditional use permit to allow for more vehicles at the property.
In a lengthy discussion, the council said it wanted to support businesses, but in this instance, there’s been ample time to resolve the issues.
They ultimately voted 4-0 to ask city staff members to prepare a resolution revoking the permit.
“I’m going to say this real clear: it’s two weeks until the hammer comes down,” Council Member Nick Torres said.
A formal vote on the matter is expected at the next council meeting.
Previously, the Osseo Planning Commission had recommended revoking the permit.
