ITEM FILE PHOTO
The Lynnway.
BY THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — The owner of the shuttered Logan Furniture store on the Lynnway is facing a stop sign for plans to turn the facility into a used car dealership.
On Monday, workmen were painting the interior of the 44,824-square-foot closed store when they were visited by the city’s Inspectional Services Department, according to Michael Donovan, building commissioner. Workers told the inspector that Everett-based Inman Motor Sales was planning to open a used car lot on the property.
But the city’s new waterfront zoning prohibits car dealerships on the Lynnway.
“Our inspector informed them they can’t open a dealership there and told them to tell their boss to have him call the landlord because they do not have permission,” Donovan said.
In order to get approval, the property owner needs a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. If they start to move walls, create offices or install electrical outlets, they need a building permit.
The Logan Furniture store at 730 Lynnway, which closed last spring, is owned by Car Realty LLC, an entity managed by Kenneth Carpi, according to state records. Carpi and his attorney, Thomas Demakis, did not return calls seeking comment.
This is not Carpi’s first controversial project. Despite zoning that prohibits a contractor’s yard, Carpi has sought approval to move Leahy Landscaping to his property at 732 Lynnway. The ZBA approved the petition while the matter is pending before the City Council.
James Cowdell, executive director of the Economic Development & Industrial Corp. of Lynn, said he opposes the contractor’s yard and the car dealership.
“We moved the power lines so that we could have real development along the waterfront,” he said.
Cowdell met with Carpi last week to talk about long-term plans because he is one of the city’s largest waterfront landowners.
“We had a very good conversation, but the car dealership was not mentioned,” he said.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].
