Dallas Residents Split Over New H‑E‑B Store Near Hillcrest Road and LBJ

A packed Dallas City Council meeting on Wednesday night set the stage for a lively debate about a proposed 127,000‑square‑foot H‑E‑B store on the corner of Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway. Residents gathered to voice their hopes and concerns as city officials discussed the project.

City Council Hearing

The council session drew a full house of neighbors, each eager to share their perspective. The meeting highlighted the community’s divided stance: some welcomed the convenience of a new local grocery, while others worried about traffic, noise, and property values.

Supportive Voices

Arielle Rosson, a nearby resident, expressed optimism about the new store.

> “I know I hear they have really great products that are unique and specific to them, so I’m excited to check it out and see what they offer,” Rosson said. “I think it will be great. If I can walk to it, I think that will be great.”

Rosson’s sentiment echoed the hope that a H‑E‑B location would bring a beloved Texas grocery brand closer to the neighborhood.

Concerns Over Traffic and Property Values

Diane Glaser, another neighbor, voiced worries that the store could harm property values and introduce noise.

> “I fear that putting a store right in our backyard is going to hurt our property values. There’s going to be noise,” Glaser said.

Gaylynn Spencer added a broader community concern.

> “For the older folks who’ve lived here for years, we’re very concerned about our neighborhood becoming a retail area,” Spencer said.

Neighbors also feared that the construction could alter the neighborhood’s character and worsen traffic congestion. A look at the intersection on a typical Thursday afternoon showed traffic already stacking up on LBJ at Hillcrest.

H‑E‑B’s Proposed Mitigations

H‑E‑B officials told NBC 5 that the company plans to add turn lanes and make other upgrades to help ease congestion, including a new right‑turn lane from northbound Hillcrest to eastbound LBJ. The grocery chain also stated it would continue working with the city on additional improvements as the project moves forward.

However, some residents wanted stronger guarantees. Glaser remarked that H‑E‑B had not provided written assurances.

> “H‑E‑B is saying to us that we’ll fix this and we’ll fix the traffic, we’ll fix the lights, the entrance and exit. But they’ve put nothing in writing. So we have nothing to hold on to. Once it’s a go, it’s a go,” Glaser said.

Next Steps

The project calls for a 127,000‑square‑foot store with a parking garage on 10 acres. A timeline for when the grocer will break ground or open the store has not been provided. City officials and H‑E‑B are expected to continue discussions as the project moves forward.

Key Takeaways

• The proposed H‑E‑B store will occupy 127,000 square feet and include a parking garage on 10 acres.
• Residents are divided: some welcome the convenience, while others fear traffic, noise, and reduced property values.
• H‑E‑B plans to add turn lanes and a new right‑turn lane to mitigate congestion, but no written guarantees have been issued.

The debate underscores the community’s desire to balance growth with quality of life as Dallas considers the new grocery store.