A local used auto dealer is seeking permission from Columbia County to continue its operations in Martinez.
Last month, Manny Naber applied for a business license to operate his dealership CSRA Motorsports at 3413 Washington Road. There are two buildings on the property, one with the 3413 address, another with a 3411 address. Naber aims to use both car lots on the property for the dealership.
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The county denied the request, saying the triangular parcel does not meet the minimum lot size required for vehicle sales, and that the property lost its legally nonconforming status since it has not been used for auto sales since February 2023.
In his letter requesting appeal of the denial, Naber noted that the property has been a car lot for the past 47 years, saying that Motorsports used the 3411 address—the second lot on the same parcel—and allowed another business, Queens Auto Sales, to use the 3413 address.
When Queens Auto left the property, Naber says in the letter, he began the process of transferring his business license back to the 3413 address, amid the Georgia licensing board undergoing a “complete overhaul of their system” that their contact availability, led to several delays, and ultimately resulted in the state issuing the license with the incorrect address.
Business licenses in Georgia are processed through the Licensing Division of the Georgia Secretary of State Office. On its website, CSRA Motorsports is listed as being licensed at “413 Washington Rd.” rather than “3413.”
“The property is really only suited for a car lot in the current layout and zoning restrictions,” stated Naber in the appeal letter. “If Columbia County would permit us to build a bigger building on the property, that would allow us a much better chance for a good return on investment.”
The Columbia County Planning Commission is slated to consider the appeal in its Aug. 15 meeting.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
