Car repair chain plans Amarillo store

Amarillo figures into a Houston auto repair chain’s plan to triple its 50 faith-based franchises in the next five to seven years.

Christian Brothers Automotive Corp. will shift its plan to build a 5,000-square-foot store into gear once it obtains approval from the city of Amarillo for the rezoning of a tract on Coulter Street, north of Hillside, a company executive said.

The Amarillo Planning and Zoning Commission will consider Christian Brothers' request for "planned development" zoning during a meeting at 3 p.m. today in the Commission Chamber at Amarillo City Hall, 509 S.E. Seventh Ave.

A report by city planning staff recommends changing the "general retail" zoning designation for the site, a vacant tract next door to Discount Tire at 5820 S. Coulter St., Senior Planner Cris Valverde said.

General retail zoning allows businesses offering light auto maintenance, such as tire and oil changes, but not more extensive car repair.

Christian Brothers stores will replace engines, but they don't offer “heavy line jobs” like transmission rebuilding, body work or welding, according to Josh Wall, vice president of development for the chain.

With planned development zoning, the city can control specific site aspects, such as signs, hours of operation, landscaping, lighting and architectural compatibility with adjacent structures.

Christian Brothers’ stores look like a house, Wall said, with a gabled roof and a brick and stone exterior. Interior customer areas are decorated with hardwood floors, leather couches, artwork and decorative lighting.

The city mailed notices of the zoning application to owners of property within a 200-foot radius of the site, as required by state law. No one had contacted the city to oppose the zoning change by Friday, Valverde said.

Zoning ordinances must be approved once by the planning commission and twice by the City Commission to take effect.

The chain intends to begin construction in April or May, Wall said.

Christian Brothers Automotive Corp. touts a “family-first value system,” Wall said.

The company requires its franchise owners to be born-again Christians, though store employees can observe any faith they wish, or none at all, he said.

The chain also closes its stores on weekends to allow employees more family time, Wall said.

New stores stay open on weekends for the first four months of operation before adopting the Monday through Friday schedule.

Say something

You've got one more chance to get in on the ground floor of a plan that will guide the future of the city of Amarillo.

The final community meeting to gather public input for a comprehensive plan for the city will take place at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Puckett Elementary School, 6700 Oakhurst Drive. Anyone can join in.

More than 30 residents turned out at Lawndale Elementary School tonight to talk about their vision for Amarillo for the next couple of decades.

Their number was more than matched by representatives of the city -- members of a city Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, the city Planning and Zoning Commission, city staff and elected leaders.

Consultants who are working with the steering committee to draft the plan for led discussion groups. Here are some ideas that rose to the top:

"Amarillo is becoming known elsewhere as a speed trap."

"We have world-class arts and music. But there's a disconnect. People don't always feel like they could be or should be a part of that."

"The southeast part of town is growing. It might be time to look at another junior high, another high school."

"Maybe (add) a police substation in the southeast, northeast."

"It seems like everything used to be centrally located. But now everything is in the southwest. We're the forgotten stepchildren on this side of town."

"The behavior of the citizens governs a lot of where people are going to put things. Restaurants, they'll go anywhere there's money. But if people don't think they're safe or the area is pleasant, they're not going to come."

"The parks staff does an excellent job during the summer. They have all kinds of events and activities (for kids). And the director of Parks and Recreation (Department) is probably the best around -- Larry Offerdahl."

About Alamo Park: "I think they did a great job with it. I've never seen so many kids and families picnicking there."

About the senior park amenities being added to Ellwood Park: "I think we're going to have to do more of that, more projects in the parks where they (seniors) feel safe."

"Our alleys are very bad. ... It's overflowing with trash continually, people just throwing out their couches and tires."

"There are cars on properties, not tagged, no tires."

"With all the new development, the dirt's gone away. Asphalt and concrete has taken its place, and there is a drainage problem."

More about drainage issues: "Especially on the access roads of I-40, it will be from curb to curb most every time we have a rain."

Many entrance and exit ramps to Interstate 40 were designed in the 1960s. And they're short and dangerous.

"Can a lane be added to I-40 to improve traffic flow?"

"Here in the east part town, we have to drive to get to anything. We're the ones who are pretty much on I-40, so we know. Yes, lanes need to be added to I-40."

Newer thoroughfares such as Coulter and Soncy already are congested. Other streets mentioned included Bell and Western.

"While we do have to wait (through lights due to traffic), our son, who lives in Dallas, laughs at us when we talk about it. It's nothing at all to him," one woman said. And then, speaking directly to the consultant, she added, "You're talking to a spoiled people."

To the question, 'Is Amarillo a good place to walk or bike?' came this reply: "There are too many buildings that are terrible. Who wants to be around buildings where we don't know if there are transients."

"There are people parking on the sidewalks."

About the bus system, came a comment about the need for "different routes so people don't have to walk eight, 10 blocks to get to a bus stop."

Another bus system comment: "You have to go all over the place before you get to where you need to go."