CHOCOWINITY — The Board of Commissioners have unanimously approved an application for a used car lot in Chocowinity.

Tuesday night, Don and Deborah Vick brought a conditional use permit application for a used car and service center in the B1 district before the commissioners.

The application followed a previous amendment submitted by the Vicks in June. The Vicks original request to establish a car lot didn’t comply with zoning ordinances, so they were asked to go back to the planning board to apply for a conditional use permit. The conditional use permit gives the town more control over the business and allows town officials to look at businesses on a case-by-case basis.

The planning board gave their approval, which led to the conditional use hearing on Tuesday.

Keith Mason, town attorney, said a conditional use hearing acts as a “quasi-judicial proceeding,” meaning it resembles a court process.

“They have to receive evidence that is compiled. It’s a fact-finding job. A judicial job,” Mason said.

Ben Rogers, planner at MidEast Commission, submitted four pieces of evidence to the Board in support of the project. The evidence included the application for a conditional use permit submitted by the applicants, a statement of provision from the town of Chocowinity planning board that stated a favorable recommendation, a list of and letter to adjacent property owners and a posting that the property was available.

Mason said that the conditional use hearing is for the Board to decide whether the use of the business complies with the zoning ordinances and meets specified conditions. He said the Vicks business seemed to comply.

“The Vicks, there were really no special conditions. It was a relatively simple process,” Mason said.

Don Vick, owner of the lot, said he isn’t going to turn the car lot into a junkyard.

“Rest easy that it won’t be a salvage yard. Certainly am not going to make an eyesore out of Chocowinity,” Vick said.

The Vicks can now move forward with the used car lot.