According to documents filed by Covert Auto Group with the City of Bee Cave on June 11, plans for a proposed Hwy. 71 dealership may include two showrooms, a multi-story parking structure and two entrances/exits to the property.

The businesses' first preliminary plat was denied by the Bee Cave City Council on Dec. 17 based on the city's subdivision ordinance requiring two entrances and exits in all developments unless otherwise approved by council. At the time, Covert did not have approval for the second entrance and exit. Covert filed a second plat on Feb. 7 and additional supporting documents on July 17, said Bee Cave Community Services Director Lindsey Winthrow.

The Covert property is located on W. Hwy. 71, just outside of the Falconhead West neighborhood and east of Nitro Swimming in Bee Cave's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Falconhead West resident Ben King, who is an opponent of the development, said he expects the plat to go before the Bee Cave Planning and Zoning Commission at their Aug. 20 meeting and proceed to the City Council's agenda the following week, on Aug. 27. King said he is concerned the project will pose a safety risk for his community as well as drivers on W. Hwy. 71.

"The dealership's location empties both driveways onto Hwy. 71 where there's no center turn lane, no acceleration or deceleration lane," King said. "A light is not practical at the two driveways because of their close proximity to Vail Divide."

King said that cars travel in excess of 60 miles per hour on Hwy. 71 and fears that some vehicles may use the dealership as a turnaround space. He said that cars cresting the hill at Vail Divide can't see what's on the downward side of the roadway.

King and other residents of the area spoke with Covert executives in January at a meeting set up by Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, he said. At that time, Covert said they anticipated hundreds of visitors to the dealership for service and sales each month, King said.

King and other residents are planning to speak at the upcoming meetings and have mobilized a group, including Bee Cave and Spicewood residents, to protest the dealership opening in the area, he said.

King is married to newly-elected Bee Cave City Councilwoman Kara King.

At the time of publication, telephone calls to Covert Auto Group—Corporate were not returned.