Comments support dealership requests

Public comments before Waynesboro City Council on Wednesday night mostly supported two special use permit applications to open car dealerships along Main Street.

G&W Motorwerkes in Staunton, one of Virginia’s few Porsche sales and maintenance shops, recently applied to relocate into the recently vacated Grand Home Furnishings building at 518 W. Main St.

A city staff report supported the move and city officials spoke highly of the “marquee-type” reputation of the luxury car dealership owned by longtime Waynesboro residents Weldon and Phyllis Scrogham.

City Planner Michael Barnes called G&W an “extraordinary addition” to downtown.

The shop would bring clients — and potential downtown investors — to town for extended stays, said Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc. Executive Director Kimberly Watters.

Also during the public hearing, the application to open a used-car dealership at 317 E. Main St., next to Tastee Freeze, received support from a neighboring business owner.

And while voicing support for the dealership, Tom Carlsson, director of development for the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority, did ask council to think about the condition of the lot.

“The physical condition of this site is a problem,” he said, noting cracked asphalt, weeds and the lack of a grass strip at roadside.

Carlsson recommended trees too, noting the potential shop’s proximity to the city’s entry and “Hospitality in the Valley” sign.

The Planning Commission will next consider the applications Oct. 20 and city council will receive the commission’s report Oct. 26.