The Planning and Zoning Commission began deliberations Tuesday night on what it will ultimately do about the Crabtree auto dealership redevelopment plan, when that issue comes to a vote.
Blakeman Construction wants to tear down the former Crabtree auto dealership on Bridgeport Avenue and replace it with a shopping center with room for a grocery store, bank and other retail space.
No vote was planned Tuesday night, and it was not clear whether the discussions would result in a consensus to bring to the meeting where a vote will be made. The next meetings are scheduled for Nov. 30 and Dec. 14.
The redevelopment is a hot issue because neighbors of the former Crabtree auto dealership said a redevelopment plan for the property will make an already bad traffic situation much worse.
Blakeman first approached the commission with the plans more than a year ago. Dozens showed up to express opposition to the plans, saying that the site at the intersection of Bridgeport Avenue, Buddington Road and Nells Rock Road couldn’t handle the additional traffic.
This is the third time Blakeman has submitted plans to redevelopment the property. First there was technical issues over who owned an access road to the property. The redevelopment application was pulled.Then it was resubmitted after a “serious, single user” expressed interest in the property, but that didn’t pan out.
Blakeman is now back with the original redevelopment plans for the land.
