A controversial expansion of Chico Volkswagen gained the unanimous approval of the Chico City Council Tuesday night.
After more than 30 residents spoke in favor or against the expansion, all seven councilors OK'd a General Plan amendment and rezone to allow outdoor car sales on property across the street from the dealership bordering downtown Chico.
The council's approval will give Chico Volkswagen owner Mark Abouzeid and his wife, Amy, the ability to expand the dealership onto the former Foster's Freeze property west of Broadway, using a property on the other side of Little Chico Creek at 948 Broadway for employee parking.
The project had gained the opposition of members of the Barber Neighborhood Association, who Tuesday night again told the council they were concerned changing the zoning would open the door for future development, such as a gas station, that is outside their vision for their neighborhood. Other neighbors said they supported the expansion.
Business owners told the council they didn't believe it was feasible for someone else to develop the property without risking millions of dollars.
Little Chico Creek became a dividing line in the discussion, with some concerned about having development right alongside the creek and wanting the council to encourage public access to the creek and others telling the council the expansion would solve some of the creekside problems of trash and homeless.
FULL STORY ON www.chicoer.com
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