The residents of Argyle, Texas, have spoken – sort of. When a much needed supermarket interfered with zoning laws, the community said more no than yes. Not that the issue is closed by any means and neither is the zoning dispute. The town is in dire need of a supermarket.
While the project has the potential to bring the area many benefits, it will also bring jobs and a push to a sluggish economy. Then why did so many Argyle residents storm out of the town meeting called to push this proposal through?
With a vote of 6-1, the result seemed inevitable, but when town commissioners announced the deciding numbers, the residents made it clear they weren’t happy.
Some town dwellers claim that while the grocery store is a necessity, the location is less than stellar. Planned to be at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Highway 77, most vocal in their complaints felt the project would spark new problems for the area.
While the Zoning Commission chairperson felt it was in keeping with the town’s future plans, and that development will bring bountiful advantages to the town, residents’ worry that the location is a poor chance as it will sit right across from Hilltop Elementary School. This will increase the nightmare already present with traffic.
A grocery chain is proposing a massive store inside the town center, and it’s development partner is located right behind the existing retail center. The move is already predicting between 60 to 80 new jobs.
While everyone agrees that traffic is a growing concern, planning officials blame it on growing pains. Proponents of the plan say the commission did a poor job of communicating such a zoning change to the community.
One parent says that if the vote goes before the city council later this month, they will have an altercation on their hands. As that date rapidly approaches, the citizens can only hope that some of their concerns may be addressed.
The town of Argyle is like any town in American, where laws and zoning issues come into play. Sometimes, they are due to hidden agendas at city halls, but other times, they are there for the purpose of making of healthy and safe conditions for the communities’ citizens.
Source:Denton Record-Chronicle, “Proposed development near school prompts concerns in Argyle” John D. Harden, Jan. 08, 2014
