Zoning change could bring haunted house, food trucks and more to downtown

The Waxahachie Planning and Zoning Commission approved the zoning change from Single Family Residential-2 to Central Area for the property that previously housed a neighborhood cabinet shop at 206 and 208 N. Jackson St. The change passed in a 5-1 vote at the commission’s Tuesday, Aug. 9, with member Erik Test voting in dissent.

Property owner, Big Blue Truck LLC, plans to lease the property, which comprises about 1.98 acres, to other business owners including potential restaurants, bars, retail and indoor amusement. Big Blue Truck has also considered parking food trucks on the property in the future.

“We are requesting to fix the zoning area,” said Greg Nehib, a managing partner with Big Blue Truck, who represented the company during the public hearing. “The property is currently zoned residential. It has not been residential in at least 100 years that I’m aware of.” P&Z chairman Rick Keeler said city staff found where the switch to residential zoning was made in the 1980s, but no one is sure why it was done.

According to the city staff report, the Planning Department recommended denial because they were concerned with the “lack of enhancement or improvements to the existing building.” City staff felt the property should enhance the surrounding area because of its proximity to the core of downtown.

Nehib said they did receive reports people did not like the front of the building; however, the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission told them they could not change the front of the building because it is historic.

(Editor’s note: Since publication of the article, the city has notified the Sun that although Mr. Nehib stated the Heritage Preservation Commission gave him instructions on that property, he has not submitted anything for that body’s consideration, and the commission has not reviewed it nor given any rulings on it.)

Potential tenants for the property’s 1,800 square foot building are the owners of Reindeer Manor, a haunted house previously located in Red Oak. They recently lost their lease there and want to relocate to Waxahachie. The haunted house would be operated in October while an indoor skatepark would be operated for the remainder of the year. The Planning Department had also expressed concerns with the potential haunted house use of the property.

In his remarks, Test encouraged Nehib to pursue a Planned Development zoning instead of the Central Area zoning. He felt this would allow the city to work with Nehib to decide what uses would be the best fit for the property while also enhancing the downtown area.

“You own it today, but 20 years from now, someone else will likely own it, so you have to think about not today (but) 20 years from now,” Test said.

Commission member Jim Phillips added to Test’s explanation.

“The zoning on CA opens you up to a significant amount of uses, but the PD gives you the greatest amount of flexibility,” Phillips said.

Nehib said he felt Central Area zoning was the property’s best option because of the zoning of surrounding buildings.

There have been no final decisions on who will lease the property. The matter will next be presented at an upcoming city council meeting. Originally published August 10, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/zoning-change-could-bring-haunted-house-food-trucks-and-more-to-downtown/article_c8517d58-18ea-11ed-a6a4-0bf948179b75.html