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AC Tires in Mount Vernon has cleaned up its operations and resolved code concerns after residents of nearby Gum Springs pushed for improvements at the Richmond Highway business.

Neighbors, including residents of apartments overlooking the property, had raised concerns about tires stored outside in an unsightly manner. The county’s involvement also uncovered code violations.

Owner Alusine Canteh subsequently moved tire storage indoors and made operational changes. Tire installation, balancing and alignment work continues at the shop.

“They listened to me,” Canteh said of the discussions.

A more complicated zoning issue remains unresolved. Officials discovered that the property has split zoning, with one portion designated residential and another commercial. The owner has begun the rezoning process, while a planned Bus Rapid Transit project is expected to affect the edge of the property.

Community members and officials discussed their concerns during a hearing last December. Among the speakers was Queenie Cox, a longtime Gum Springs leader.

Although the land use was “a use that was not supported by Gum Springs,” Cox said conditions now appear to have improved.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck announced that officials had approved a special exception allowing AC Tires to install tires inside its existing building as part of its sales operation. He also thanked the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations and New Gum Springs Civic Association leaders for their work during the process.

The Gum Springs community voiced support for the application at a Jan. 13 meeting. The Mount Vernon Council also reaffirmed its support in a letter while asking Canteh to begin rezoning the property, a process that is now underway.