Published: November 08, 2008 02:09 am      

Auto parts store seeks to locate in downtown’s historic district

Because of a unanimous Royse City Planning and Zoning (P&Z) vote Thursday night, Auto Zone is closer to being able to locate in the historical district of Royse City, albeit, the very southernmost edge —the northeast corner of Old Greenville (running east-west) and FM 548 (Elm).

The vote modifies an ordinance so that “auto parts and accessory sales” may be allowed with a specific use permit. The area is in the Heritage Overlay District, which district is a layer of requirements on top of the zoning already in place.

John Ward, planning and zoning director, in his brief to the planning and zoning members, noted that auto sales and auto parts sales are a prohibited use, “However, this is basically a store.”

“It is no different than a drug store,” said architect for Auto Zone, Phillip Pecot, during the public hearing portion of the P&Z meeting.

Royse City has masonry standards, Jim Murphree, planning and zoning member, mentioned. It was noted that the exterior is usually painted concrete block.

In an Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting Oct. 28, Auto Zone was discussed, with Larry Lott, EDC director saying, “I think he’s willing to make concessions in design.”

So far, plans offered by the Texas Main Street staff please neither Royse City’s Heritage Board, nor Auto Zone, according to Royse City’s Main Street administrator, Kari Hollifield.

Allowing Auto Zone in the overlay district creates a “new edge” to the district, noted Mike Gilbert, EDC member.

“Transition space is so little between I-30 and Main Street,” Hollifield noted.

Auto Zone approached the city about eight months ago, and was told “yes, you can build here if you buy it,” Lott told the full EDC membership in that morning meeting.

During the public hearing at the Thursday P&Z meeting, Spencer Pattison, a citizen, said his concern was drainage and the bringing in of tractor-trailer rigs to the store on the road.

Jim Diatt, speaking for Auto Zone, said they have talked with the Texas Department of Transportation about the road, and addressed civil engineering needs.