A Kyle couple is deciding what to do with 1.43 acres they purchased along west Center Street after Kyle Planning and Zoning commissioners voted 6-1 to allow rezoning.
Ronald and Teresa Hayes applied to rezone their lot from Central Business District (CBD)-1 to CBD-2, which will allow them more options when the couple decides what to do with the land. CBD-2 will allow various commercial retail occupants.
“CBD-1 is one of our most restrictive zones,” said city planner Will Atkinson. “CBD-2 will allow them a lot more options for commercial business. We want to bring more small businesses downtown, stuff that is unique and high quality.”
Hayes’ neighbors in the surrounding area, however, disagree with moving more businesses close to the existing homes.
Local resident Lila Knight, as well as two neighbors, spoke against the rezoning, saying noise pollution and construction issues would disturb surrounding homes.
“CBD-2 does not limit the hours of operation like CBD-1,” Knight said. “The people who live downtown and near Center Street really don’t want to see the types of uses that are allowed in CBD-2.”
Currently, the Hayes’ property at 801 W. Center Street includes an abandoned home. Ronald Hayes said is too expensive to fix due to its age.
“I was informed that the house had to be used for commercial use by the planning and zoning committee as it had been vacant,” Ronald Hayes said. “We’re also giving 10 feet off the back to the city.”
The discussion left commissioners caught between sides. Their options were to further downtown developments without knowing what would eventually become of the property or continue to ensure the status-quo of the neighborhood.
The Hayes couple is now looking into options for the development of their acreage.
