Politics & Government

Council Approves Rezoning for Car Dealership

The rezoning of a South Attleboro parcel from residential to commercial will allow for the construction of a Kia dealership.

The Attleboro City Council voted 9-1 on Tuesday to rezone a 3.25-acre South Attleboro property so that a Kia dealership can be built on the site along Newport Avenue between Horton and Irving avenues. 

Local businessman John Martins, who owns the nearby , had requested the site's designation be changed from residential to commercial. He told the council at a March public hearing that he needed to open the new lot because was instructed by both car companies to split the business.

Martins does not own the property, which was once a salvage yard, but planned to buy it if the zoning change were approved.

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"It's going to generate some good tax revenue," said City Councilor Jonathan Weydt, who chairs the council's Committee on Zoning & Land Use. "It's going to create some jobs, hopefully. And the neighbors are agreeable to this."

The council visited the site last month, and councilors reported that neighbors were satisfied with the plan once they had some questions answered. Nobody spoke at the March public hearing.

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Councilor Shannon Heagney voted against the rezoning and Councilor Brian Kirby did not attend the meeting. Heagney declined comment after the meeting when asked about her decision.

Councilor Jay DiLisio said he was concerned about the project creating more traffic in the area. He said he wanted Martins and others to consider this issue as the development is finalized. The project will receive further city and state review before construction can begin.

Martins told the council in March that he planned to spend $3 million on the project, which includes buying the property, and that it would create 30 to 40 "good-paying" jobs, with locals getting the first chance to receive them.  


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