Different vote, same outcome for Belleville auto shop that asked for zoning variance
For the second time in five months, Belleville City Council has turned down an auto-repair shop’s request for a zoning variance that would have allowed it to park more vehicles outside its garage.
Aldermen voted on Monday night to deny the request from Kenneth and Elizabeth Weiland, of Alhambra, who own the property at 2339 Old Collinsville Road. Their tenant, Chris Brinley, of St. Louis, has operated 1st Class Auto Service for about two years.
“They’re looking for any reason they can to put me out of business,” Brinley said after the meeting.
The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 last month to recommend that the City Council approve the variance request, despite complaints from owners of neighboring businesses who testified that Brinley stored too many vehicles outside for long periods.
Ward 1 Alderpersons Bryan Whitaker and Lillian Schneider, who represent the area, spoke against the variance request on Monday night, as did four neighbors. The vote to deny was 14-0. Ward 2 Alderwoman Jamie Eros and Ward 8 Alderwoman Kara Osthoff were absent.
“Ever since (Brinley) has been there, he’s had problems,” Schneider said after the meeting. “I went by there one weekend, and there was a car sitting up on a jack. That can be dangerous. ... That’s a nice little strip mall in that area, and I hate to see it deteriorate.”
The variance would have required the Weilands to cover part of a grassy section of the .67-acre property with gravel and prohibited storage of more than 20 vehicles at a time. No vehicle could remain more than 30 days, and no vehicle could park on the grass.
In November, aldermen denied a variance request by Brinley that would have allowed “temporary outdoor vehicle storage” on an “unimproved lot,” referring to the grassy area.
That is not allowed in a C-2 heavy commercial district under Belleville zoning codes, according to Cliff Cross, the city’s director of economic development, planning and zoning.
Brinley told alderman he was trying to grow his business and eventually wanted to build another structure.
In December, Cross sent the Weilands a violation notice, stating that the property had become a “junk yard/storage yard.” He asked that all vehicles be removed to avoid penalties.
The couple appealed Cross’s interpretation of zoning codes, but after he had a meeting with their attorney, the Weilands said, they were encouraged to file another variance request in their names. The Zoning Board held a hearing on March 27 and voted to recommend approval.
“None of this makes any sense,” Elizabeth Weiland said.
The city’s battle with 1st Class Auto began last year, when Gary Johnston, a Belleville real-estate agent who owns a small strip mall next door, and other neighbors complained.
Johnston said the garage was constructed for a quick oil-change business that served customers driving in and out, and its small parking lot can’t accommodate a large number of vehicles.
“(Brinley is) running a full-blown mechanic shop, and there’s just not room for it,” Johnston said at the time.
According to Brinley’s 2023 application for commercial occupancy, officials expected the business to use six parking spaces. Today, all parties seem to agree that 10 to 25 vehicles are stored outside at any one time, depending on demand for repairs and availability of parts.
Since 2002, the 1,800-square-foot building has housed In & Out Oil Change, Belleville Auto Repair, Ryan’s Auto Repair and Fix-O-Flat.
Brinley worked 10 years for a Missouri car dealership before opening 1st Class Auto Service with his son as part of the Castrol Premium Lube Express chain. His wife does the bookkeeping.
When asked Monday night what will happen next, Kenneth Weland, said, “I don’t know. I’ll have to speak to (my) attorney.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
