Sprouts by Kenny Eliason for Unsplash
Around a dozen community members met at Kessler Community Church Thursday evening for a discussion about the proposed development at the corner of Fort Worth Avenue and North Hampton Road.
The meeting was the third opportunity for members of our neighborhood to ask questions and provide feedback about the plans to build a Sprouts Farmers Market — as well as two drive-thru businesses — in the space currently occupied by Elrod’s Cost Plus and a Chinese Buffet.
The meeting was hosted by the Stevens Park Village neighborhood association.
Although Dallas City Council member Chad West was unable to attend last night’s meeting, he was represented by David Preziosi of the Stevens Park Village Association.
Preziosi reminded attendees that there is not a timeline to get the redistricting issue to city council, as long as it is brought to the council before February 2023.
Residents of our neighborhood voiced concerns about the new development bringing a more “suburban” feel to the area, a worry which has been heard at meetings prior.
Syd Hurley of Vista Property Co., the company that owns the land, assured attendees that any aesthetic recommendations for the property will be seriously considered. As has been mentioned before, Sprouts has agreed to install a mural facing Fort Worth Avenue, which will be designed and painted by a local artist.
One concern voiced at the meeting was by Mikel Wixson, who has lived on North Hampton Road since the mid-2000s. Wixson said his home overlooks the site, and he worries the lighting for a drive-thru and a parking lot would interfere with his home.
Wixson said the current Chinese Buffet, and Luby’s — which occupied the space before the buffet — both had soft lighting and he enjoyed their ambiance.
“I call them my Christmas lights all year round,” Wixson said.
A representative for Sprouts attended the meeting and mentioned that the store will sell low percentage beers and wines, which was well received by some members of the audience. One community member remarked that the current area is a “beer and wine desert.”
Thursday’s meeting was the final opportunity for the community to gather with city officials and representatives from Vista Property Co. before a survey asking for input is finalized.
Preziosi urged members to fill out the survey whether they were for or against the development, and said reminders about the survey will be sent out to some residential homes in the immediate area.
The survey can be found here in English and in Spanish. It must be filled out by Nov. 23.
The Advocate will publish the results of the survey as soon as they are available.
