Celina Council rejects proposed Honda dealership

City documents acknowledged the dealership would have provided “a needed product/service” and noted the potential economic benefits.

The dealership was expected to create jobs in Celina, and while passenger vehicles are not subject to local sales tax, the city would have been able to collect property tax, inventory tax and sales tax on service parts.

Representatives from City Limits Honda also highlighted potential technician development partnerships with local high schools, trade schools and community colleges.

The context

Dealerships like Chevy, Honda and GMC are interested in doing business in Celina, especially along the DNT, according to previous reporting.

“That is prime real estate in Celina,” said Dusty McAfee, Celina’s director of development services, at a July 8 meeting.

However, Celina’s Future Land Use Plan originally designated the land along that section of the DNT for regional mixed-use developments. The area “is envisioned as a major employment and entertainment destination,” according to city documents.

According to Celina’s DNT Overlay, the specific property in question is intended for high-rise developments, not a two-story car dealership.

“They're asking for us to rezone this land,” council member Brandon Grumbles said at the July 8 meeting. “Well, if we do that, then we're stuck with this land that's zoned automotive, and there's nothing we can do with it at that point.”

What they’re saying

A number of residents from nearby neighborhoods spoke in opposition to the dealership, citing concerns about security, noise and traffic.

“Overnight security lighting, test drives, service center noise, delivery trucks, chemical fluids and high traffic volume—that’s just not compatible with our single-family homes that are on the other side of the fence,” resident Lacie Gomez said.

Looking ahead

Ferguson, who spoke in favor of the dealership, said that as Celina grows, car dealerships will be inevitable.

“Obviously we’re going to have car dealerships,” Ferguson said. “People are going to have to make peace with that fact.”

Several residents and council members, who opposed the rezoning request, said they're interested in developing a Honda dealership in Celina, just at a different location.

“I hope you come to Celina,” council member Andy Hopkins said, addressing the City Limits Honda team. “But not in the high-rise zone.”