Former Sears site will allow for Wiley's expansion

The building that once served as a Sears appliance store will soon become part of Wiley Funeral Home, allowing the mortuary to expand its services to families.

The Granbury City Council voted unanimously at its regular meeting Tuesday to approve a Specific Use Permit (SUP) with site plan approval for the property, located at 420 E. U.S. Hwy. 377.

The funeral home has purchased the 7,700-square-foot building and intends to use it for catered meals, receptions, deliveries of flowers, memorial services, and office space.

Non-funeral related events may also occasionally be held there, according to the presentation made at the council meeting.

“We’re just super excited,” said Ron Knowles, Wiley’s funeral director and general manager. “There are so many things we are going to do.”

The building is just to the east of Wiley Funeral Home, near Walmart and The Home Depot but on the other side of the highway.

The family-owned funeral home has operated at 400 E. US Hwy. 377 since 1993, Knowles said.

Redevelopment of the former Sears site will include facade improvements, paving and parking improvements, and the addition of landscape islands.

Plans for a porch on the front of the building and a drive-under area on the west side will involve working with the city’s Board of Adjustment.

Knowles said that the covered drive-through will serve as a place for families to park in inclement weather and will be used for hearses when services take place in that building.

At its Aug. 16 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the SUP with a few conditions.

City staff subsequently recommended conditional approval, listing the same conditions. Those conditions are obtaining any necessary variances for setback encroachments on any new structures; obtaining any necessary permits from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT); and periodic inspections with inspection fees in accordance with the city’s fee schedule.

Knowles said he does not yet know when the renovated building will be ready for use.