New business set to locate in county

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Mark R. McKee hopes to be in his new shop before gardening season begins. He specializes in small engine repairs and works out of his home.
McKee expected the Bland County Board of Supervisors to approve his request for a conditional use permit following a public hearing Tuesday evening. His application was accepted earlier by the Bland County Planning Commission.
“There’s not been any opposition to it from the Planning Commission,” McKee stated Monday. “The board will give us an answer at the meeting.”
In January, McKee bought the original site of Sky Outdoor Inc. at 7063 North Scenic Highway in Bastian. He plans to locate his small engine repair business there and eventually offer a full line of 4-wheelers and motorcycles for sale.
“We’re trying to target all the groups,” McKee said. “We’ll also carry parts and do repairs.”
McKee’s property already is zoned for commercial use. County regulations require a conditional use permit for the new venture.
Several recommendations were made by the Planning Commission for review by the Board of Supervisors. Included are:
 All overnight small engine repair, parking/storage to take place on the side of the property.
 No outside storage to be housed in the front of the building. Any overnight storage is to be placed in an approved outside storage space in the rear of the property.
 No car, truck or large vehicle repair to take place on site.
 No disruptive noise associated with operation of business beyond 10 p.m.
According to McKee, his brother Tim operates TJM Plumbing in the front half of the building. He specializes in commercial and residential work.
The other half of the front office, McKee noted, eventually will be his showroom. The back half of the building is the repair shop and service area for motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and small engines, McKee said.
“I hope to be open by mid-March,” he said.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .