Discount Tire Plans at Pearl-Whitney Will Face Tough Scrutiny

City officials are holding off on endorsing at the corner of Whitney and Pearl roads.

The Arizona-based Discount Tire, which calls itself America's Largest Independent Tire Dealer, has filed to rezone two parcels on the west side of Pearl, including part of the former Quality Catering spot.

But city council members said it appears the company would use only a small portion of the corner, and may build around the former catering building rather than raze it.

"There is nothing proposed to tear down the building as part of the project," Ward 4 Councilman Scott Maloney said.

That's a concern for officials, who hoped to bring in a developer to revamp the entire corner area.

"We'd like to see a project for the whole area -- not just have spot zoning," Council President Mike Daymut said.

Residents near the site adamantly opposed a proposal by  last year to build on that corner. The gas station has since returned with plan to build on the same corner, but on the other side of Pearl Road.

The Planning Commission is expected to consider the rezoning request April 26.

"That will be a very interesting discussion for the Planning Commission," Maloney said.