Zoning Requirements Force Shop to Shut Down

The owner of an automotive repair shop in South Carolina is having to stop his operations due to the county council rejecting a renewal of his business license due to zoning issues, WMBF News reports.

The business in question, Avant Auto Repair, is owned and operated by Sylvester Avant, who has worked from the backyard of his family home since 2007. Problems arose late last year when the Horry County Council began questioning the zoning compliance of his business.

Being in a residential zone, the Horry County Council rejected a rezoning request that would allow Avant to continue running his business there. During a council meeting in January, they ordered Avant to find a new location within five months.

Avant has struggled to find a property for rent that would comply with the zoning requirements for mobile, stationary and towing services. County Councilman Tom Anderson has been in contact with both Avant and local realtors in an effort to help him.

“I’m trying to help him in every way,” said Angela Younts, owner of Dick’s Recovery Towing Service. “It’s very disappointing because he does a huge amount for the community and we’ve worked together hand in hand with the towing and mechanical.”