Published: February 20, 2009 01:09 am      

P&Z approves storage yard, denies private club

Storage yard two lots from Petroleum Park; Green’s Western Wear plans private club

The Corsicana Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday gave approval to a zoning change and specific use permit for an auto storage facility planning to locate on South 12th Street near Petroleum Park.

The decision for the zoning change from Commercial to Industrial-1 drew a split vote from commissioners, and numerous comments in opposition to allowing the facility to operate in the proximity of Petroleum Park and a lot containing an historic welding operation. Commission members John Yates and Gordon Wilson opposed the zoning change. The vote for issuing the specific use permit for the operation was unanimous.

Several representatives of the Navarro County Historical Society and Navarro County Historical Commission voiced opposition to Jerry Davis’ plans for an auto storage facility.

“I read that Corsicana wanted to improve its appearance. I don’t think that’s an improvement,” said Nan Stockard, a resident on 13th Street adjacent to the planned lot.

“Even a fenced wrecking yard will have a detrimental effect,” on the city’s tourism efforts, said Eddie Pevehouse, president of the Historical Society. Davis said the lot would be for auto storage only, and not a “wrecker” yard.

“Tourists take note of their surroundings,” said Bobbie Young, curator of Pioneer Village, another popular tourist attraction. Young said she was concerned about the possible effect of the yard on historic preservation and the promotion of tourism.

“There is a big push for tourism,” added Joe Brooks. “We don’t want to do anything to dissuade tourism.”

Bill Maupin, voting in favor of the request, said the fencing that Davis has already installed on the property was an improvement to the area.

“We can control them through the (specific use permit),” he added.

The commission’s decisions on the zoning change and permit will now go before the Corsicana City Council for its action.

Failing to gain P&Z approval Thursday was a request for a zoning change from Central Area to General Retail made by Rheann Ivie, who wants to turn the existing Green’s Western Wear business into a private club.

Ivie told commissioners that she was trying to “save her building” and that continuing as a retail operation would not do that.

“I don’t want to have an empty building like Dyer’s,” she said.

Ivie said the private club would include areas for meetings and dancing, a gaming area, and would cater to a “more mature crowd.” It would include a three-story addition at the rear of the building.

Extra security and lighting were also planned for the operation, she said, and an experienced manager for the club had already been chosen.

Dr. Max Worley, who runs his optometry practice next door to the proposed club, cited his experiences with a bar business he was a part-investor in, expressing concerns about litter, bar fights and crime in the area should a private club be permitted.

Cheryl Denson, who owns the building Worley is in, questioned the appropriateness of a private club in the area, and echoed Worley’s concerns about its possible impact, and added “If someone were picked up for DWI, it wouldn’t be far to the jail.”

Trena Weidmann, owner of P&S Pharmacy, spoke of the decline of small businesses in the downtown area during her lifetime, and asked commissioners to approve Ivie’s plans.

“Whatever we can do to maintain downtown, we need to try,” she said, adding that many people travel to Ennis for similar entertainment.

“What concerns me most is the sale of alcohol and the crowd that brings,” said Dan Wilkes, a downtown property owner and resident.

The commission’s vote to deny the zoning change was unanimous, and Ivie’s request for the specific use permit for a private club was “tabled indefinitely” by the board.

—————

Storage building approved

Commissioners approved a specific use permit for a storage building exceeding 120 square feet for the Navarro County Appraisal District. The building will be used for record storage. The P&Z board required the Appraisal District to submit a drawing of the building to the City Council when it considers the request in March.



Demolitions ordered

Demolition orders were approved for property at 1440 West Park Avenue and 201 East 13th Avenue. A 30-day extension was given for a home at 1624 West Third Avenue to allow an insurance investigation to continue. A 60-day extension was given to property at 504 North Fifth Street to allow for repairs.



Preliminary plats approved

A preliminary plat for a new medical office building to be built west of Navarro Regional Hospital was approved. Frank Martinez of Navarro Regional said the building would be operated by a separate company, and lease space to doctors now housed in Trinity Clinic, with the hopes of recruiting other physicians to the facility. Also, a preliminary plat for a senior housing development near North Beaton Street and Bragg Avenue was approved. The complex is designed for 60 homes.



Click here to e-mail Bob Belcher.

Click here to Sound Off on this story.