It seemed like a nearly done deal.

Tuesday, May 29, 2001

It seemed like a nearly done deal.

Ronald J. and Lori A. Wieseler, owners of Pine Manor Apartments, had received the Austin Planning Commission’s endorsement.

The Wieselers had the recommendation of the commission for rezoning property they own from multifamily residential to commercial business district.

That was two weeks ago.

Then, they went to the May 21 Austin City Council meeting with Paul R. Johnson, the architect they retained to design their proposed new business lot and facilitate the rezoning request through city government.

Craig Hoium, community development director, made the presentation before council members, who merely asked questions but did not express opposition.

Then, with the Wieselers and Johnson on the edge of their seats in the council chambers at the Austin Municipal Building, the request was tabled.

It won’t be considered again until the June 18 council meeting.

Bob Helmers knows why Hoium asked for the delay. He is sure it’s because the Wieselers’ request is the same as Helmers’ own request.

At least, that’s what the still-angry businessman said.

Helmers, owner of Kar Korner at the intersection of 14th Street NW and Eighth Avenue NW, sought unsuccessfully to expand his used car business into a residential area.

He even went ahead and had the property he acquired blacktopped to make way for more vehicles.

The property was zoned single-family residential and the city ordered Helmers to cease and desist and return the blacktopped property to its original state.

Now, it appears the city is ready to grant the Wieselers’ rezoning request to operate a business in a residential zoned district.

Helmers watched the maneuvering last Monday night and left the people without saying a word before the council. Afterward, he said action on the Wieselers’ request was delayed because, "The city is afraid I will sue them. That’s the same request as mine. That’s what I was trying to do. If they grant this request, it’s discrimination and they know it."

The city’s community development director, Hoium, was told what Helmers said after the decision to table the rezoning request.

"They’re not at all the same," Hoium said. "Just stop and think for a moment. Where is Kar Korner and what surrounds it?"

The northwest Austin business is surrounded by single-family housing on all sides. Riverland Community College’s east campus and the Key Apartments are nearby.

On the other hand, the Wieselers’ property is surrounded by Mel Saxton’s auto dealership to the west, Aegean Cheese Co. to the north and 25th Street SW to the east. To the south is Pine Manor Apartments.

"It’s a completely different situation," said Johnson, who is assisting the Wieselers.

"They have Mel Saxton’s on one side, Oakland Avenue West to the north with the cheese company and 25th Street SW is a logical barrier to the residential development to the east," he said.

"In fact, you could say there’s a huge difference in these two areas," he added.

According to Hoium, the decision to ask the council members to table the Wieselers’ request was not because of Helmers’ presence in the audience.

"The city’s future land use map will need to be amended," Hoium said.

The future land use map is part of the city’s comprehensive plan and designed to give city officials a guide to future growth.

It is unlikely the Wieselers’ property hemmed in by their own apartment complex, an auto dealership, heavily traveled Oakland Avenue West and the residential-industrial district to the north as well as 25th Street to the east would be desired by anyone for a single-family residence.

The Wieselers know that, according to Johnson, so, he said, "This is a good fit out there. They can develop their own property. What else would want to locate there under the present circumstances?"

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.