With renewed interest in bringing a national business to the Killeen, Texas, area, residents are letting their opinions known — both on social media and directly to the local news outlet, the Daily Herald.
On Monday, the City of Killeen Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional-use permit for the property located at 701 and 709 E. Central Texas Expressway, which was formerly Gander Mountain and closed down in 2017.
Jay Moore, who works for Minnesota-based Oppidan Inc., was at the meeting to speak on behalf of Camping World, a nationwide RV dealer that wants to open a new dealership with retail component at that location. Moore said the RV dealership could bring about 50 jobs and possibly $40 million in annual sales to the Killeen economy.
At a Dec. 8 Killeen City Council meeting, the council voted 4-2 to not allow a rezoning request for the property, which prevented the project from moving forward.
The city is expected to revisit the issue in early January. Meanwhile, residents are speaking out. As one resident told the local paper, “the city is dumber than dirt.”
Click here to see the full report from Steve Wilson in the Killeen Daily Herald.