College Station City Council narrowly passed an ordinance July 9 allowing vehicles to be sold, serviced, repaired and rented in the Wolf Pen Creek District.
In a nutshell
According to the proposed ordinance, buyers and sellers would have to abide by a “structured” standard for these vehicles within the district:
- Vehicles on-site longer than 48 hours would have to be away from public view or within closed doors.
- Inoperable vehicles can only be on-site for a maximum of 30 days.
- All auto parts must be stored away from public view or within closed doors.
- Business may only be permitted in an enclosed structure, along with having small outdoor display areas directly adjacent to the structure.
Gabriel Schrum, a staff planner for the city, said the ordinance was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission in June, where the commission voted against the recommendation of approval. The commission was primarily concerned about how it would affect the character of the district.
A closer look
Mayor John Nichols questioned the language of the proposed ordinance, citing a “creep up” of code enforcement issues regarding similar ordinances in recent years.
“I’m concerned that nobody ever checks these things,” he said. “It would be very hard for someone to put an automobile dealership in Wolf Pen Creek and try to keep within 5 feet of the back wall for outdoor display.”
Nichols also voiced concerns about businesses selling vehicles that aren’t permitted, along with a potential applicant's knowledge of the parameters.
“Presume you see the entire parking lot filled up with vehicles that are micromobility but are for sale,” Nichols said. “I hope the applicant has an understanding of this.”
Anthony Armstrong, director of planning and development for the city, said dealerships are looking for opportunities to expand into that area of College Station, but not at the expense of degrading the district.
“It’s a design district that’s similar to Northgate, so there are specific requirements with [Wolf Pen Creek], such as facing the creek and making that area a little bit better,” Armstrong said.
Council member Bob Yancy said he saw no problem with allowing new vendors into the district.
“I say let them do business,” he said.
Council member Scott Shafer said he had similar concerns in line with the planning and zoning commission, raising more questions about the future for the district.
“Philosophically, I completely disagree with this,” he said. “I just think we ought to do what we can to keep automobiles and other related pieces out of the Wolf Pen Creek District because it was absolutely not that in the beginning.”
Yancy said his justification for voting for the ordinance was that the businesses would keep the integrity of the district, along with adding economic growth.
“It’s not like they’re destroying any trails or green space; it’s already a parking lot and a building,” he said. “Why not let these guys create happy jobs, happy customers, sell product and maybe light up that corridor a little bit?”
Going forward
The council voted 4-3 to pass the measure. Council members voted as follows:
- In favor:
- John Nichols
- Bob Yancy
- Melissa McIlaney
- David White
- Against:
- Mark Smith
- William Wright
- Scott Shafer
There will be no immediate change, but Yancy said he hopes to see an expansion of businesses in the area similar to the ideas proposed in the Harvey Road Corridor Redevelopment Plan.
“It’s a commercial corridor that’s got some beauty, and I definitely don’t want to disturb that,” Yancy said.
