Downtown Garland property and business owners’ concerns about downtown zoning deepened in March when a women’s health clinic/pregnancy center wanted to occupy the property at 500 Main Street. The property had recently been vacated by Garland Furniture.
Members of the Garland Downtown Business Association did not feel that a medical facility was a good fit for the downtown square. They presented a list of reasons to city officials. Some of their reasons included:
- inadequate parking
- loss of tax dollars because the clinic was a nonprofit
- their feeling that the square should be for retail, dining and entertainment.
The city staff began communications with the business and property owners to get input.
Plan Commission recommendation
The matter was sent to the Plan Commision after Zoom meetings, email communication, phone calls and personal visits by city staff to the businesses. The Plan Commission made its recommendation.
Many of the property owners, as well as city officials, have long envisioned the area as an entertainment district. Many improvements have already been made. In addition, millions of dollars have been allocated for future improvements. All have spent a great deal of time discussing what types of uses are appropriate for the area with “entertainment” in mind. They agreed that restaurant, retail, etc. should be the primary uses. The Plan Commission recommended that financial institutions and general office use should be approved as well. Additionally, they suggested residential use on upper floors only and no parking lots allowed.
City Council vote
The City Council accepted the recommendation with the following amendments:
- gym use to be approved by SUP only
- convenience store to be approved by SUP only
- pharmacy use to be approved by SUP only
- general office use to be approved by SUP only on the first floor and by right on upper floors
- personal services to be approved by SUP only on the first floor and by right on upper floors
- transit stations to be approved by SUP only
- studio fitness use to be approved on the first floor by SUP only and by right on upper floors
- financial institutions to be approved by right
Note: ALL existing businesses currently on the square will be allowed to continue doing businesses with no SUP.