Updated 12:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 24, 2014
Cedar Park City Council on Jan. 23 held its first reading of an ordinance that would no longer permit new automobile dealers in properties zoned for general retail.
City leaders said City Council approval would not affect other commercial developments or existing auto dealers. Assistant City Manager Josh Selleck said the city must review its zoning ordinances and evaluate allowed uses as the city's open land becomes more limited.
Currently vehicle businesses are acceptable uses in general retail or in sites zoned for planned urban development. But Selleck said he doubts new vehicle businesses fit the city's intentions.
"These uses are inconsistent with the general retail zoning districts' purpose statement, but they're also inconsistent with the uses that we envision for our major corridors," Selleck said.
Businesses selling new or used vehicles seek large tracts of land, but the city does not benefit from their presence, Selleck said. The tax on car sales is 6.25 percent, which goes to the state, he said.
"The city would see no benefit from that," Selleck said. "Finally, it's aesthetically undesirable. If these uses are allowed to cluster in our corridors, there would be long-term negative impact."
The Cedar Park Planning and Zoning Commission approved the amendment by 6 to 0, he said.
