Oak Hills Neighborhood Information Session

Learn More About A Rezoning Proposal Near Oak Hills Neighborhood

The Oak Hills Citizens Association is hosting an Information Session regarding a rezoning request for a parcel of land near our Neighborhood.

Representatives for the company interested in rezoning the lot for a commercial project will be available to answer your questions and provide additional information about the proposal.

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

7:00 p.m.

Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, 6739 Callaghan Road

(near the intersection of Callaghan & Babcock)

Fellowship Hall
*Entrance & parking on the back side of the building

July 2022

19

Please RSVP so we have an accurate headcount

RSVP NOW

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED

Last month, your Oak Hills Citizens Association Board met with The Kaufman Group, representing World Car Kia. Attorneys for The Kaufman Group presented a proposed rezoning request for an empty lot on Loop 410 near Glencrest (near Frost Bank).

*You can view the entire presentation by clicking here:
https://youtu.be/ce3YxLLbw6E

The current zoning is set to O2 for office buildings: World Car Kia is proposing to rezoing it to the least-intense zoning classification of "C2 CD AHOD," which is a General Commercial District with conditional use for auto sales. This would limit the type of commercial business that could be developed on this property. For instance, such a classification would prevent property owners from opening a bar, nightclub, or other late-night business, without the approval of the neighborhood.

World Car Kia operates several self-financed dealerships in the area. This spot near our neighborhood - but outside of our covenants jurisdiction - has been selected to have a new generation of auto dealerships built for Kia. They will buy the land and are seeking to put a Gallery Design-styled dealership there. This plan calls for a smaller footprint that Kia indicates is more neighborhood-friendly in design.

The service areas are fully enclosed to mitigate noise or sound. The facilities will not do body work or paint work. That will be done offsite. Kia will offer "light service" work such as oil, tires, and brake changes. At this location, a car would go into the side bay and all service would be conducted inside and enclosed doors instead of any outdoor space or lot.

The initial design overview we were given is:

No service bays facing the neighborhood
Use of 100% Downlighting - nothing will shine towards the neighborhood
Hours of Operation - no sales late at night
No access to the neighborhood from the site

Below is a prototype of the design, which is a one-story facility. There would be a sales display in the front. The back of the facility facing the neighborhood would include a wall, with no activity to disrupt the neighborhood. Below are a few photos of the proposed design.

Kia Gallery Design - Front Elevation

Kia Gallery Design - Lobby View

We have communicated our questions and concerns about the rezoning uses. From the input received and agreed-upon terms, the Kaufman Group can submit a record of restrictive covenants, which is an agreement that whoever owns the property will be limited to what they can do. The covenant runs with the land. It cannot be amended without the approval of the neighborhood. This record of a restrictive covenant can memorialize the agreement that is binding. Some examples would be lighting, hours of operation, etc

Kia and the Kaufman Group have NOT filed a zoning case. They wanted to meet with our neighborhood FIRST.

We have invited The Kaufman Group to an in-person meeting of our residents so they may present this idea of the Kia Gallery Design to the neighborhood to address their rezoning request. This meeting will take place Tuesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, 6739 Callaghan Road (near the intersection of Callaghan and Babcock). We will meet in Fellowship Hall at the church.

Please RSVP here so we may have an accurate headcount.

RSVP Now: Rezoning Information Session

Some participants in our initial meeting with The Kaufman Group mentioned that since this is an empty lot, it's only a matter of time before it's developed. As its current zoning is O2, it is possible a multi-story office building could be built on that property, which could overlook neighbors' backyards. This is a consideration the board members on our virtual discussion agreed we need to keep in mind when considering our position on this rezoning proposal.

As a board, our responsibility is to communicate the information we received and implore you to provide your feedback and participate in the decision. Please submit your questions, and comments via this jot form or through email. In addition, please send your contact information to us to ensure you receive updates we share in our newsletters and at neighborhood events.

This is an opportunity to hear from The Kaufman Group and their client so they can find a solution that is a good fit for the lot and our neighborhood.

Next Steps:

If Kia/Kaufman moves forward with a rezoning request, that would go to the Zoning Commission for review and recommendations.
The rezoning request ultimately must be voted on by the entire City Council before a zoning change goes into effect.

Now more than ever, we ask that you take time to learn about this proposed zoning change, make your voice heard by sending any questions or comments you have to the Oak Hills Board, and participate in the upcoming neighborhood discussions about this proposal.

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