Giant Goodwill store planned next to Wal-Mart

The Planning & Zoning Commission will be asked Tuesday evening to grant a conditional use permit that will pave the way for the construction of a 30,000-square foot Goodwill Industries store at 901 Seton Parkway, basically just east of the Wal-Mart store on Kyle Parkway.

This is the same project that recently asked for and received from P&Z a request for an extension of the city’s cul-de-sac length limitations

Goodwill retail stores, as most know, fund the operations of Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities. In 2014, the last yea figures were available, Goodwill organizations generated $5.37 billion in revenue, 83 percent of which was spent directly on programs. In that time, the group created 89 million jobs.

Goodwill was started in Boston in 1902 by Methodist Rev. Edgar J. Helms, who, together with his congregation at Morgan Methodist Church, collected used household goods and clothing that was discarded in the wealthiest sections of the city, then hired unemployed workers to repair or mend them. Those products were then redistributed to those in need.

I’m guessing the permit request will be granted without much controversy.

Another item on the commission’s agenda might face a more contentious discussion, however.That’s one seeking the rezoning of a five-acre plot at 245 Lehman, just north of RR 150, from agricultural to warehouse. I’m not sure what the applicant wants to do at this location, which currently houses one residence and two other buildings. The accompanying materials only say the applicant wants "to provide locations for outlets offering goods and services to a targeted segment of the general public as well as industrial users," which could mean just about anything.

Here’s the Rub: 60 percent of the lot is located in the 100-year floodplain of the Elliot Branch. Another problem is the Comprehensive Plan which has labeled this area as a Regional Node, where warehouse zoning is not recommended, even conditionally. According to the Comprehensive Plan, Regional Nodes "should provide a mixture of uses that complements regional commercial activity, as well as encourage high intensity residential development." In other words, this would be a perfect area for mixed use developments, according to the Comprehensive Plan. Currently, Kyle does not offer any kind of mixed-use specific zoning, but I’m expecting that to change soon.

But that floodplain location presents a definite deterrent.

The complete agenda for Tuesday’s meeting can be found here.