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Jan 27, 2007 6:00 pm US/Central
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Zoning Battle Continues In Lower Greenville
by Bud Gillett
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
There is still time for a compromise between neighbors and a developer along Lower Greenville Avenue in Dallas. A threatened showdown over a restaurant zoning amendment has been headed off -- for now.
Greenway Investments has been unable to find a tenant for its building on Lower Greenville Avenue, an area rife with tension between neighbors and developers. Now, it wants to build a deli.
"Our neighborhood doesn't need any more restaurants," said neighborhood activist Karen Lawrence. She and others argue that there are already 60 restaurants and clubs in their three block area.
Zoning for the Greenway Investments project requires that the building be residential or retail.
After months of bargaining, an agreement was reached. Greenway Investments could build a small, 'office-tower-type' grill, but it would have to be limited to 3,000 square feet and would have to close at 4 p.m. each day.
However, Greenway Investments applied for a permit that allows a larger restaurant that stays open later. They tried to find a non-restaurant tenant. "And that didn't work," said Joel Matin with Greenway Investments. "It's been a couple of years. The property went vacant for quite a while."
At a recent plan commission meeting, neighbors reminded officials of earlier city promises.
At the meeting, neighborhood activist Bruce Richardson said, "As you've heard, this was an agreed case. I brought a little proof for you."
That proof was a tape of promises made by councilmembers during council sessions.
"We have talked and talked. We made a deal. Please, please, please support us," Richardson said.
"Give us some more time," said Matin. "We'd like to meet with the neighborhood. I think this thing can be resolved."
The commission denied Greenway Investments, but did so in a fashion where it can re-apply right away, assuming they can reach a compromise with neighbors. Greenway Investments says they will re-apply for permits that allow a restaurant.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)