Council approves thoroughfare amendment and special‑use permit for internet‑sales electric vehicle dealership

The City Council approved a proposed amendment to the master thoroughfare plan and a special‑use permit (SUP) for an internet‑sales electric vehicle dealership and service center located near the I‑20 eastbound frontage road.

Brett Huntsman (Transportation/Mobility) presented a companion thoroughfare amendment (Item 40) to remove a two‑lane collector roadway shown on the master thoroughfare plan. Staff said a traffic‑impact analysis using the regional model found removal of the collector would not cause significant area impacts and would shift roughly 3–7% of traffic to I‑20 and Beltline; the developer proposed an internal access drive to provide connection across the site. Planning staff noted it would be preferable to keep the road but recommended council consider the developer’s site‑specific proposal.

Rashad (planning staff) presented the SUP site plan (Item 41) for an electric vehicle dealer whose operational model is internet sales with deliveries and on‑site service. The project includes a large vehicle storage area on site for delivered inventory, service bays, EV charging stations and a single access point from the frontage road. Staff and the Development Review Committee recommended approval with the condition that the applicant escrow funds to construct the continuation of a 30‑foot access drive connecting I‑20 to a future extension of Westchester Parkway (to preserve the option for a public connection later).

Council placed conditions on the SUP during the motion: council limited the SUP to internet‑sales EV operations and accessory service for vehicles sold through the site, specified staff recommendations be met, and prohibited autonomous “robo‑taxi” operations. The motion carried.