CLEARLAKE – A fresh, new business is coming to the City of Clearlake. X-Site Motosports is expecting to open its doors on Lakeshore Drive in February. The business will occupy the old Taco Bell building that has sat vacant for the past several years.
X-Site Motosports will specialize in ATV and off-road motorcycle sales and repair and offer a selection of motorcycle apparel, accessories and parts. The family enterprise will be operated by Robert and Dena Maninger, who are both Lower Lake High alumni who recently returned to the area.
After ironing out the details in its use permit application and surviving the Planning Commission”s initial denial, the Maningers received permit approval on Tuesday.
“We chose this business venture because it”s what Clearlake and Lake County needs,” Dena Maninger said. “There are plenty of places for people in motosports to go ride but no businesses to support it. There is a need for motorcycle services in this area and Bob is an 18-year master mechanic so we decided to put those skills to work.”
Commission concerns pertained to outside use of the property and outdoor display. Dena Maninger conveyed to the commission that it was not their intention to create an eyesore by way of storing or displaying inappropriate items outside of the building. She said they intend to use the drive-thru area of the property for display of motorcycles conditioned for sale. She said it would be too easy for people to walk off with other items associated with the business therefore outdoor display would be reserved for motorcycles only.
Commissioner Bill Perkins said he had been against the application; however, once a provision was included in the permit to prohibit onsite test riding, he said he approved. Commissioner Fred Gaul provided his approval on the condition that no repairs would be made outdoors on Sundays, with respect for the church that is located next door to the business site. Bob Maninger assured the commission that he intends to conduct all repairs within the interior of the building and the permit was revised to prohibit all outdoor repairs.
Commissioners Al Bernal and Gina Fortino-Dickson expressed optimism in attracting new consumers to the area. “We”re in the middle of the county,” Bernal said. “Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, I hope this draws those people in.”
Fortino-Dickson said she likes the fresh idea. “I like the fact that there is not another business like this in town already functioning,” she said.
Bob Maninger said he”s anxious to provide local services in an industry that he personally partakes in. “This is the largest city on the lake and I”m a motorcycle rider and there is no place to get parts,” he said. “You have to go all the way to Lakeport. This an ideal place to capture that business that has been going to the other side of the lake.”
Dena Maninger said she”s pleased that this business venture will result in one less empty building in Clearlake. “The location as well the building construction suits our needs and it will be nice to see that building finally filled,” she said. “This will utilize one of the buildings that have sat vacant on our main road for so long.”
Intended hours of operation for X-Site Motosports are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
