Two new businesses near Wright City received conditional use permits from the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission at its Jan. 19 meeting.The commission met with Joseph Benne to discuss a proposed firearm business at his home north of Wright City. Much of the business will be done through online sales, Benne told the commission.To be granted the permit, Benne agreed not to have any business-related shooting of firearms on his property. Specifically, the business will not be able to shoot any firearms that are for sale.Board members approved the permit without objection.More contentious was a conditional use permit for the owners of Jackie O’s Consignment Gallery and Auction House, who want to expand their business with a resale store, auction house and storage facility along the North Outer Road at the western edge of Wright City.The application for the proposed business includes indoor and outdoor auctions, as well as the potential for the facility to be rented for other special events. Board members wanted details on plans for events, how often they would be and how they might impact the surrounding community.“Our auction event, right now we’d probably start off once a month,” said Jackie Brown Oberlander, who sought the permit along with Jeff Oberlander.“We would love some day to be big enough to do once a week. I don’t see that in the near future.”The two said their business includes estate auctions, and that auctions would sometimes need to be outdoors if an estate includes a tractor or automobile.Commissioners expressed concern that large events would disturb neighbors.They debated the allowable hours and frequency of auctions, often asking for the Oberlanders’ input on certain stipulations.Eventually, the commission and business owners were satisfied to agree that outdoor auctions would be limited to twice per month, starting 10 a.m. at the earliest and finishing by 9 p.m. at the latest. Any outdoor public address speaker system would need to be directed toward the highway.The Oberlanders also expressed interest in renting out the auction hall for special events such as wedding receptions, to make use of the space between auctions. The commission agreed this was a reasonable use of the space, but limited outdoor special events to one per month (in addition to the two auctions).The 18-acre plot the Oberlanders are looking to expand on has several buildings they want to repurpose for clothing resale, furniture repair and self storage, according to their permit application.They also plan to build a 6,000-square-foot building for an antique mall, consignment gallery and auction hall, as well as two additional storage unit buildings.A group of area residents attended the meeting to express opposition to the proposed self-storage units.“I don’t want our property backing up to storage,” one resident said.The only limitation the commission set on the storage units is that they must be confined to the southern half of the property near the North Outer Road.After the Oberlanders agreed to all stipulations, the commission approved their permit without objection.Commission Chair Cuddy Gildehaus told those in attendance that if they wish to protest the planning and zoning commission’s decision, they have until Monday, Jan. 30, to appeal to the Warren County Commission. If there are no appeals, the permit will be finalized.Planning and Zoning Administrator Toni Eversmeyer said those who wish to appeal should contact County Clerk Barb Daly. The clerk’s office can be reached by calling 636-456-3331.New Businessesrf