Richard Ennis seeks county approval for handyman business

An area boat repairman has asked county officials to allow him to continue businesses he has operated out of his home for the past 10 years – all without county approval.

Dick Ennis, owner of Dick Ennis Inc., appeared Feb. 24 before Sussex County planning and zoning commissioners. Accompanied by his attorney, Shannon Carmean, Ennis asked commissioners to approve a conditional-use application to allow him to operate grass-cutting, power-washing, marine service and sales, and construction businesses. His home, which he uses as a model home for potential construction customers, is included on his 1.5 acres at the intersection of Route 24 and Angola Road.

The commercial uses are not permitted in an AR-1 agricultural-residential zone without obtaining a conditional use from the county.
Carmean said Ennis wants to build a new 4,500-square-foot building on a vacant parcel adjacent to his house to put his business office, garage and storage facilities under one roof.

Commissioner Mike Johnson didn’t waste time when it came his turn to ask questions. He asked Ennis how many county code violations he had received over the past 10 years.

Ennis answered he had received three violations.

“Why are you here now?” Johnson asked.

“Because of the violations; I want to make it legit,” Ennis said. “I want to keep a roof over my head and continue to work.”

Because he does not have a conditional use to operate a business in an AR-1 zone, Ennis was forced to remove a sign from the front of his property.
Johnson also questioned if the Ennis home was part of the application.
Ennis said part of his construction business includes tours of his modular home. “I sell one or two a year,” he said.

Johnson said he was confused what Ennis was asking for and how many businesses he actually operated. Johnson called the application “clear as dishwater.”

“His business card is a little large,” said county planning and zoning director Lawrence Lank.

Carmean said there were six letters of support for the application in the public record. She said there would be no boat storage, but a few used boats would be for sale on the parcel. In addition, there would be no more than five employees at one time and the hours would be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday.

Ennis said a new building would allow him to do more boat repairs on-site. During the summer season he works off-site about 90 percent of the time to go where the boats are.

When asked, Ennis said he had not met with Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) officials to get an approved entrance permit.
“It might be worthwhile to have a discussion with DelDOT real quickly,” Johnson said.

Nearby resident Vic Gross questioned the county’s motives forcing Ennis to apply for a conditional use to operate his businesses.

“We are not trying to take business away or shut him down,” Commission President Robert Wheatley responded. “There are rules and regulations at every level of government and everyone has to abide by them.”
No one opposed Ennis’ application.