By Ardith Garner
Guest Columnist

It’s all too common in our current political climate for some to blatantly avoid and distort the truth. They find it easier to persuade when they don’t worry about pesky little things like facts. 

Former Helotes Mayor Jon Allan evidenced this in his guest column Oct. 18 on the Commercial Village proposed East of Highway 16, across from the Old Town Helotes Special District. He reported misinformation, rather than facts, using scare tactics to mislead Helotes residents. As EDC president, I feel you need the facts … just the facts.

First, the Commercial Village is no spur-of-the-moment idea cooked up by the EDC. Hundreds were involved. Citizens, property owners, city committees and City Council members participated, and four plus years of public meetings and community workshops went into the Old Town Helotes Plan. The EDC is simply following through on the community-driven plan City Council approved in July.

Second, “high-density” and “urban” do not describe Helotes or the Commercial Village. We’re not talking Greenwich Village, New York, here. We’re talking about an environment that incorporates the unique small town character we love about Helotes. The right mix — community, character, values, respect for nature, and economic stability — means quality-of-life for all to enjoy.

Third, Allan incorrectly reported that the Commercial Village allows for “more than 80 percent impervious cover,” but the EDC has no desire to “scrape and pave our beautiful city.” Read the ordinance. It’s clear. A “strip center” / “big box” look is unacceptable. Sixty percent is the maximum impervious cover allowed, including plazas, sidewalks, and paths, which are typically not included in impervious cover percentages. Compre-hensive planner Mark White says that’s restrictive, and he praises Winter & Co.’s attention to detail by giving the OTH Plan his stamp of approval.

Fourth, many want only upscale lodging within the Commercial Village. The EDC agrees and clarified the definition ensuring that only hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts with three or higher diamond or star ratings would be allowed. The Menger or Gunter Hotel would be allowed. Motel 6 would not.

Fifth, Allan suggested “a developer … (can) … come in and toss in a box … there’s nothing to stop (them).” Not true. A 197,000-square-foot Supercenter or a 105,000 square-foot-Home Depot would not be allowed. A 10,000-square-foot specialty shop or a 39,000-square-foot Whole Foods? Now, we’re talking!

So … do Commercial Village opponents genuinely dislike the proposed ordinance or are they simply against any and all development … even on land they don’t own? Judge for yourselves.

Read more on the EDC’s Web site: www.shophelotes.com.

Ardith Garner is president of the city of Helotes Economic Development Corp.