City council approves CUP for Sherwood Street auto repair shop

The Worthington City Council concurred Monday night with a Worthington Planning Commission recommendation and approved a conditional use permit request that allows for the establishment of a new auto repair business on Sherwood Street.

David Bosma plans to renovate the larger existing building at 1000 Sherwood St. for his business, Old Home Automotive. The three large bays will receive minor updates for usability and the fourth small bay (with a sliding door currently) will be turned into reception, office and a restroom. The existing small office space and surrounding storage will eventually be demolished.

Plans for the location indicate that the steel building in the middle of the site will remain as storage, or Bosma may consider renting it out for storage if it’s not needed for his business.

In a separate matter Monday, the council approved a forgivable loan for Habtamu Ewnetu through the city’s Workforce Housing Program for eligible developer-installed infrastructure improvements installed for the newly constructed house Ewnetu is purchasing at 2115 Castlewood Drive. The program, adopted in 2008, was created to encourage the construction of affordable housing units within the boundaries of TIF District #7 by offering forgivable loans to qualified home buyers.

A five-year forgivable loan in the amount of $24,701.19 was approved with an interest rate of 5%. 

Also Monday, council members approved an application from Yonas Dessalegne Fissiha of My Taxi of Worthington to operate a taxi service in Worthington and the surrounding area. Hours of operation will be Monday - Sunday with 24-hour service.