Zoning change allows business to expand
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore Planning and Zoning officials were charged with rezoning two parcels of land yesterday to satisfy the demands of Kilgore's flurry of economic activity.

Rocky Ridge Apartments are slated for demolition, followed by the adjacent convenience store. When the lots are leveled Jackie and Vickie Clayton, owners, have plans to build an On The Go convenience center with a fast-food restaurant, drive-through car wash, more fuel pumps and additional parking. On The Go is an Exxon Franchise,

The property at Rocky Ridge which had been zoned "local retail one" yesterday was rezoned "local retail four" to allow construction of the new and improved store.

A few local residents showed up, not to protest the project, but to voice concerns. Jan Hendricks, a Lawrence Street resident, said her main concern is that developers erect a privacy fence to screen night-time lights and traffic noise.

Johnny Walker, Exxon developer, reassured Hendricks and the others that the fence was a reasonable request and would be built.

Another zoning change, on Longview Street, was approved.

The Planning and Zoning Board granted a Antonio Rodriguez a special-use permit in an area zoned for light manufacturing, to build a privatelyowned community building.

Larry Woodfin, owner of Woodfin Automotive, showed up to voice his concern about security at the community center. He said he is not opposed to the idea of developing the threeacre tract that is mostly behind his shop, but he hopes security measures are taken and that the board would make a recommendation concerning the entrance width at the property entrance.

Planning and zoning board members agreed to the zoning change, subject to an agreement with Rodriguez which guarantees the entrance to the property will be 25 feet wide and clearly marked as a Fire Lane. Another stipulation, required by Carol Windham, director of planning, is that the facility must have at least 200 parking places to further ensure vehicles will not be parked in the drive.