Hawley business approved for rezone despite neighbor’s concerns

HAWLEY, Minn. (Valley News Live) – A local business recieved some good news today, after their request to be rezoned was approved. Car King Auto, just outside of Hawley, asked Clay County officials to be zoned as a commercial property, despite neighbors coming forward with concerns.

With the original building built back in 1965, Scot Manthe, of Hawley, purchased the property right off of Highway 10 in 2016.

“From the time I was 18, I wanted to buy that property. For whatever reason, I thought it was a neat property because it’s a business right within the houses,” Manthe said in front of County Commissioners on November 19.

Between the houses, has been an ever-changing type of business. It started off as an electrical contractor, then became a flower and craft shop, and now it’s a power sports store.

Manthe said, “With it being right off of Highway 10, that’s the reason for the location. Like they say, ‘location, location, location,’ and that’s what the business owners are trying to capture with their signs and displays.”

Scot requested to rezone the property from Agricultural General to Highway Commercial to allow for a commercial business. The proposed rezoning aims to facilitate continued commercial operations without the need for conditional use permits with each change of business ownership, something neighbors previously said does not belong there.

In a previous board meeting, Lori and Greg Krause explained what it’s like living directly next door to Car King Auto.

“Um… I hate to say it… but it’s kind of a junky-looking area,” Lori said.

The business is in a primarily residential area, with about 20 houses surrounding it. Upon first arrival, there are several vehicles that can be seen parked out front.

“Last week, I counted 30 vehicles on that tiny, little lot. In order to do that, they had to be parked right up to our trees,” she added. She said the business is an “eye sore” and something needs to be done about the excess vehicles.

“Again, I do support people following their dreams, I really do. But my dream, is to live there in comfort and peace while I still live there.”

Greg mentioned they’re also concerned for safety. “Another thing with these motorcycles is that they’re having little kids test-driving these motorcycles going up and down that township road. There’s going to be an accident because we’re not used to all of that traffic.”

There’s a second location for Car King Auto further into town in Hawley, which has not had any kind of complaints or actions taken against them.

The traffic, the cars, and the displays were all topics of discussion for Clay County Commissioners at today’s meeting. With promise to effectively manage the excess vehicles and a commitment to adhere to “right of way” rules, the request for rezoning eventually passed, unanimously.

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