A neighborhood dispute is brewing over a proposed Murphy Oil gas station at the corner of Old Hammond and Airline highways that was approved Monday by the Planning Commission.
The Sharpstowne and Sherwood Forest homeowners associations, along with other residents of nearby neighborhoods, oppose the proposed gas station. Ahead of tonight’s Metro Council vote on the issue, they’ve been circulating a “Stop Murphy Oil” petition to encourage others to submit a form of opposition to the council.
Their concerns stem from the fact that the gas station would be located within the Old Hammond Highway Overlay District, which was amended in 2015 to “strictly prohibit” the development of gas stations. However, Murphy Oil on Monday asked the Planning Commission to reverse the rules of the overlay district to allow it to build the gas station and a convenience store, which the commission OK’d in a 5-4 vote.
“I don’t see the benefit in reversing a plan that was backed by the public, the Planning Commission and the Metro Council, just as a reaction to a zoning case that comes up,” says Alison Cascio Gary, a former Metro Council member who oversaw the 2010 adoption and 2015 revision of the overlay district. “It’s undoing a lot of work for just one zoning case.”
Residents originally backed the overlay district in order to protect property values and “create development that is appropriate for the property, but also compatible with residential,” says Gary, who adds that creating an exception for Murphy Oil would put a dent in public trust. They worry a gas station would bring down property values and introduce increased traffic congestion, blight and lighting and drainage issues, among other problems.
Representing the developer, meanwhile, is attorney Charles Landry, who counters that the project would instead bring a quality, best-in-class gas station to the area that would replace a used car lot, which he calls a “20-year eyesore.” Moreover, he says Murphy Oil has already cinched recommendations of support from the Broadmoor Homeowners Association, which represents 2,000 residents, as well as the new Cypress Bend development, on top of recommendations of approval from the Planning Commission, its staff and the Department of Public Works.
Additionally, Landry points to competitor Benny’s Car Wash, which he alleges is funding the “Stop Murphy Oil” campaign. Benny’s owner Justin Alford did not respond to requests for comment before this morning’s deadline.
“In spite of a well-funded negative campaign against this project based on competition, you cannot stymie zoning based on competition,” says Landry. “We’re very pleased with where we are.”
It’s unclear how the Metro Council will vote on the matter tonight. When asked whether he’s been lining up votes, Council member Matt Watson, who represents the district, says “it’s [his] job to facilitate conversation between developers and the residents around the property in question,” though it’s up to the developer to gain support for the project.
“My vote will represent the will of the residents,” Watson says, not elaborating.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since its original publication to remove a reference that Alison Gary still owns a property in the Old Hammond Highway Overlay District. Gary still owns a property in District 11, her former council district, but not in the overlay district. Daily Report regrets the error.
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