Bellaire gives H-E-B OK for new building
Grocery has not decided whether to raze Bissonnet store or build on another site
The H-E-B Grocery Co. has received approval from Bellaire City Council to tear down its store at 5106 Bissonnet and build a two-story, 70,000 square foot replacement, but company officials say no definite plans have been made concerning the project.
“We do not have any specific plans as of yet. We sought this approval in case we decide to build on that site. We have not made any final plans,” said Cyndy Garza, H-E-B’s director of public relations.
“That store is fairly small, smaller than our current stores, and inadequate to meet current demand. Our real estate division is still looking for property in Bellaire suitable for the new, larger store.”
She said the company sought the approval in case it does decide to expand at the Bissonnet location.
It made more sense, she said, to get preapproval prior to making a final decision.
H-E-B might have spent time and money designing and planning a store for that site only to later have their application for a planned development permit denied by the city council.
The city council voted June 15 to approve H-E-B’s application.
The permit is necessary for
proposed project to comply with city zoning laws.
“We have listened to area residents and they have said they want a larger store,” Garza said.
Mayor Pro-Tem Mandy Nathan, said, “Thank you H-E-B. This should be a great investment in our community.
“It is something I believe has been talked about for years.”
If H-E-B does build the larger store, tenants in the adjoining strip center to which H-E-B is the anchor will be displaced, since building the new store will require complete demolition of the improvements on the site.
“I frequent those businesses and patronize them. I would like us as a city to assist them where we can,” said Councilman Gus Pappas.
His concerns were echoed by Councilman Roman Reed.
The Bissonnet property is owned by Brixmor Property Group.
Brixmor representative Kristen Moore said it is not “able to share details about the project plans at this time.”
Among the tenants in question are four restaurants, an insurance agency, a liquor store and a drycleaners.
Hema Nathan with Bouquelle Cleaners said neither H-E-B nor the property owner have reached out to her son, who is the owner.
“Someone should be worried about us. We put our retirement benefit into this business and it is doing good. H-E-B needs to do something to help us.
“Our customers are asking us where we will relocate. We don’t have the money to move,” she said.
Nathan added that their lease with Brixmor runs until 2018.
Bellaire’s director of community development, John McDonald, told the council June 15 that it would be a little more challenging for the drycleaners to relocate because of yhe environmental regulations it would face.
Al Patel with Rice Discount Liquors, also a tenant, said the lease with Brixmor runs to 2020.
Patel said he and his family, would consider going to court if their lease terms are violated.
Garza said H-E-B’s property search and plans are at this point open-ended and without deadline.
Councilman Jim Avioli asked H-E-B representative Jim Rose, who was present at the meeting, about costs for construction.
Rose said H-E-B still has some questions about the scope of the project.
According to minutes from the March 10 Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, the new store, wherever it ends up being built, will be about 3.5 times the size of the current store.
Architect’s renderings and site diagrams are available for viewing at the city’s website, ci.bellaire. tx.us.
Click “Meeting Agendas Minutes & Videos.” Select “Planning and Zoning Commission” in the “Meeting Group” drop down box. Scroll to the March 10, 2015 meeting and click “Agenda Packet.”