The controversy over the dance hall permit for the Gaston Bazaar at Gaston and East Grand was brought to a conclusion, at least for now.
On Sept. 13, Council member Craig McDaniel, whose district includes the Gaston Bazaar, made the motion to grant the Specific Use Permit for a two-year time period with a number of specific limitations. McDaniel’s motion, which won unanimous Council approval, was the result of negotiations between the applicant and the surrounding neighborhoods.
The affected neighborhoods signed off on the compromise, but made it clear in their remarks that they expect the Gaston Bazaar operators to be good neighbors.
The two-year time period on the permit means that the holder of the permit has to reapply and go through the same process before the permit expires in two years.
To renew the permit, the operator will have to file for renewal with the Planning Department, and receive approval from the Plan Commission and City Council. The process also calls for public notice. This will give the neighborhoods an opportunity to appear at the renewal’s public hearings and make their views known on whether the Gaston Bazaar has taken steps to make sure that noise, traffic, litter and parking are not problems on the property.
Council members made numerous comments at the public hearing about how allegations that neighborhood opposition was racially motivated were way out of line and blown out of proportion.
STUDYING THE AREA: A land-use study for the Henderson Avenue area form Central Expressway to Ross Avenue should gear up soon. Council member Chris Luna and others believe the area is in need of a study to determine its land use and traffic patterns.
The area has a mix of single-family, apartments, retail and other uses. Henderson Avenue is already at an unacceptable level of service, according to the City’s Transportation Department. In addition, the area is getting the new Fiesta food store and its associated retail space at Ross and Munger; a new elementary school at Ross and Henderson; a possible 180-unit apartment complex at Willis and Richard; a growing retail and restaurant development on North Henderson; and the possible construction of a DART rail station at Knox-Henderson and Central.
The study is expected to get under way this fall and will include neighborhood and business representatives. While the study is in progress, any zoning change applications will probably be put on hold.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW: Many City Council members have made new appointments to various City Boards and Commissions, so most of these bodies are in transition until all of the appointments are completed and their Chairs and Vice-Chairs are selected.
Council member Craig McDaniel appointed Hector Garcia to represent District 14 on the City Plan Commission. Garcia is a resident of the Cochran Heights neighborhood and has been active in East Dallas neighborhood issues for a long time.
District 2 Council member Chris Luna appointed Oscar Monsibais to the Plan Commission. Monsibais, who lives in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas, has also been active in his and other neighborhoods. He served on the Board of Adjustment.
With the Plan Commission in transition, the processing of zoning change applications may slow down for a while.
On a personal note, you may have figured out from the preceding information that I have retired from the Plan Commission after four and a half years. While I plan to continue to be involved in zoning and land-use issues in East Dallas and other parts of the city, it will be in a different capacity than that of an appointed official responsible for representing a Council district.
Having the opportunity and privilege to serve the people of District 14, East Dallas, and the larger City has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I hope I was able, in cooperation with others, to help make a positive difference in our neighborhoods’ quality of life. I hope to continue to be able to do that in some capacity in the future. And, of course, I plan to continue to stay in touch with all of you through The Advocate.
