Used-Car Outlet May Be Allowed at Center

The Ventura City Council on Monday will consider amending an ordinance so that used-car dealerships can operate at the Ventura Auto Center.

If approved, the amendment would pave the way for an outlet that would sell retired Budget rental cars. The new dealer hopes to occupy the now-vacant Mercedes dealership on Perkin Avenue.

The current ordinance, adopted in 1987, allows only new-car dealerships to conduct business in the area. Those dealers may sell used cars or accessories to repair used cars, but their principal business must be the sale of new automobiles.

City officials say the proposed amendment would bring the auto center into line with nationwide changes in the auto industry.

“We now have a much more active used-car market,” said Everett Millais, director of community services. “Used-car dealers are no longer these people at the bottom of the social strata who you don’t know if you can trust. It’s being corporatized.”

As examples, he cited the head of Domino’s pizza, who has opened a used-car chain in the Southeast, and a new subsidiary of Circuit City that sells used cars.

Millais said the amendment would open the area up for a broader range of car sales, and used-car dealerships could be expected to generate up to $200,000 in sales tax revenue annually.

A Honda dealer is expected to move to the auto center from Santa Paula by June, and the Budget dealership could open within the next six months, Millais said.