A Texas judge has allowed a mechanic to open his shop for business while a fight over the government’s demand he build another 23 unneeded parking spaces continues.
The Institute for Justice explains that Azael Sepulveda, the owner of Oz Mechanics in Pasadena, Texas, will be allowed to run his business during the fight.
At issue is a demand from the city under its mandatory parking minimum law, which specifies Sepulveda’s one-man operation needs to provide more than two dozen parking spaces which “he does not need and cannot afford to build.” He has five, but would need to add 23.
The ruling from the Harris County judge was for a temporary injunction that came in a lawsuit filed by the Institute on behalf of the shop owner.
“For months, I’ve been paying a loan on my shop without being able to work there. I was worried my business wouldn’t be able to survive,” he told the Institute. “I’m so happy to finally be able to open my shop and continue earning a living for myself and my family.”
Lawyer Diana Simpson, of the Institute, said, “This is the first step toward ensuring that Azael, and all Texans, can start a business without jumping through unnecessary hoops. Pasadena’s parking minimum law serves no purpose, hurts small businesses and violates the Texas Constitution, and we look forward to further proving that in court.”
Sepulveda knows a lot about cars, and has a popular YouTube channel where more than 22 million viewers have watched him explain how to perform car repairs.
The Institute reported he also has successfully run his own repair shop, Oz Mechanics, for nine years with stellar reviews.
But when he wanted to expand recently, by moving out (continued)
This post originally appeared on WND News Center.