By Young Joon Lim

TRENTON -- If you are going to open your own business in Trenton, double-check that you own more than 5 acres including your house.

Trenton's Planning and Zoning Commission called upon Mark Spackman Wednesday night to adjust his business requirement form that has been dragging on for over six months.

"This is real bulls--t," Spackman said. "Because I own less than 5 acres, I am forced to close my business."

Spackman, who owns just over 3 acres of property, is running a heavy-machinery business for agricultural needs in Trenton, such as tractors, trucks and ATV's. He does machine maintenance for his business in his front yard. Fixing broken vehicles, changing oil and collecting used tires for heavy-duty equipment are his main services.

Spackman also travels throughout Trenton fixing agricultural machines. He said he gets there and makes things go back to normal.

"I don't display big vehicles on my property. All I need are some small tools to fix them," he said. "Why do I have to buy more acres to display merchandise?"

The town ordinance, however, requires every business owner in Trenton to own at least 5 acres of land.

"The 5-acre ordinance was adopted in 1977. We just have to comply with it," said Rob Smith, who is chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission and a Logan attorney.

It will be harder on Spackman to run his business because the commission's decision also requires new records, which include what kinds of tools he uses, whether he burns oils consistent with EPA regulation and where he disposes used tires.

Spackman wants to avert the situation. He has "no idea when they are satisfactory."

Andrew Sparks, who is going to run for Town Council in November, accentuated that there's too much red tape that should be revoked soon for business owners of Trenton.

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