The Martin City Community Improvement District committee held its monthly meeting Feb. 19, which also acted as a public hearing for the property at 1 E 135th Street. Owner Danny Baker is converting the former Martin City Golf Center into a high-end luxury used car dealership (above $200,000). The city’s ordinance for permitted land use under the Urban Redevelopment Amendment does permit used car dealerships. “The cars are retail, but the city doesn’t think so,” said Baker.
To address the issue, Baker must follow Kansas City permit procedure, which requires a public meeting before passing through various committees.
The required meeting allowed those in attendance to get an update on Baker’s project. The once white exterior has been painted black with a new rustic wood paneled entrance. The interior, also painted black with wood elements, will have a 4000 square foot showroom plus three offices. The driving range behind the main facility will be torn down and a limestone retaining wall built to replace it. A new asphalt parking lot and landscaping– giving a Colorado vibe–are planned for the fall. The area will be protected by a 16-foot tall fence and gates with high security features…