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Council denies request to allow waxing business at 2193 Panola Road
Summary
The Stonecrest City Council on Jan. 27 denied a request to amend a 2019 zoning condition for 2193 Panola Road that would have allowed a waxing-focused personal-services business to operate in a plaza near the former Walmart site.
The Stonecrest City Council on Jan. 27 denied a request to amend conditions on a commercial property at 2193 Panola Road to allow a waxing-specific personal-services tenant.
Applicant Ariana Ayala, speaking on behalf of her father, Jose Ayala, said the planned business would be a waxing establishment and include facials, massages and eyebrow-threading services. "I have not seen in the area a waxing specific industry establishment," Ayala said, and she argued the use would bring customers and add value to the plaza.
Planning staff and the city's planning commission recommended approval of a narrow exception to the existing condition that had explicitly prohibited "barbershop, beauty salon, or similar personal service establishments." Director Kawi (planning) told the council the applicant applied for a business license and could not be permitted without an amendment; staff described this as an amendment to the property's approved conditions rather than a full rezoning.
Several residents urged denial. A public commenter who did not identify with a formal organization told the council Stonecrest already has many beauty salons and argued the city should pursue "quality development" instead of additional small personal-service businesses. The speaker said families often leave the city for shopping and dining options and urged the council to encourage commercial uses that attract dining and entertainment, not more beauty supply and salon operations.
Applicant Ayala responded in rebuttal that the proposed tenant would be different from other businesses and that the landlord intended to recruit higher-quality tenants for the center.
After discussion on whether the amendment constituted a "minor" or "major" change to the property conditions, Council moved to deny the amendment. The motion to deny carried on a 5-0 vote; the council did not amend the property's conditions and the applicant's permit request was therefore not approved.
Why it matters: The decision preserves a 2019 list of prohibited uses on this parcel, reflecting a neighborhood concern about clustering of certain retail and personal service businesses and a council preference (expressed by several speakers) for broader commercial and dining development in Stonecrest.
