12/30/03  Why does Councilman Salazar want a Northwest Highway Junkyard?

Happy New Year to everyone! 

NW Dallas has much to look forward to with DART preparing to start light rail through our area.  After 14 months, the dredging of Bachman Lake is complete.  We have new discount shopping centers on Harry Hines, etc.

Just as we look forward to positive things coming into NW Dallas, we learn the Plan Commission (01/08/04 at 1:30 p.m. in City Council chambers) will be considering zoning for a proposed junkyard -- for the third time. 

If you missed reading about it in the DMN: 

    "Z023-285 (RB) An application for an Industrial Manufacturing District & a Specific Use Permit for an Auto auction on property zoned an Industrial Research District on the North side of NW Hwy, west of Spangler Rd........... District with the addition of a vehicle storage lot & auto auction by Specific Use Permit and restrictions for certain operational characteristics."

This means old cars will be dumped and stored at that location until they find a buyer.  Again, we will have to fight the perception that NW is nothing but a dumping ground for bars and businesses that the rest of Dallas does not want. 

Enough is enough.  We had the topless bars for years.  Now, it is time for our community to attract family oriented businesses.

This case has an interesting history.  The person who wants to buy the property is a foreigner.  My family also came to this country to start a new life, so I have no problem with him being a foreigner. 

The case went before the Plan Commission in October, and was denied 9-0 despite the shenanigans of the Plan Commissioner for District 6 (who doesn't live in District 6).  That Commissioner tried to get the P&Z to reconsider it on Nov. 11, but she lost again.  The applicant appealed his case to the City Council.

At council, Councilman Steve Salazar (who represents District 6 where this property is located) moved that it be sent back to the Plan Commission because "his appointee (who happens to be his wife's sister-in-law) was not present when they voted.  She was there the second time it was considered by the P&Z.

What is there to reconsider?  Representatives for Sam's Warehouse, Mercado Juarez and other nearby businesses testified against the junkyard before the P&Z and Council.  They have stated that if the junkyard is approved, they will move out of their NW Highway location. 

It will be an embarrassment for Dallas when visitors coming from DFW see such a business. 

We need EVERYONE who loves NW Dallas to call, write or visit your City Council person and tell them we DO NOT WANT this business.  Also, please plan to attend the P&Z hearing.  I plan to be there.  This is too important for us to do nothing.

                  Mary Lou Montes Zijderveld