P&Z OKs first permit under new code rules

The city’s first zoning change request after the passage of Code SMTX went before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday and garnered the commission’s approval.

The commission held a public hearing on a request by property owner David Mendez to rezone a vacant lot on the corner of Bishop and Marlton streets from Single Family-6 (SF-6) to Neighborhood District-3 (ND-3). Mendez said he plans to build two single-family homes on the property — one for his family and one for his in-laws.

“We think two cottages are perfect,” he said.

In her staff presentation to the commission, Andrea Villalobos from the city planning department said that in 2015, P&Z had approved a conditional use permit to allow the construction of an accessory dwelling unit on the property, but now that Code SMTX has passed and more options are available, Mendez wants to build two zero lot line houses there instead. The property will be developed in accordance with an Existing Neighborhood Regulating Plan that was approved along with the zoning change request. 

One of the residents of the area near the property had voiced concerns about on-street parking. Currently, people park their cars along Marlton in such a way that it impedes other traffic — particularly school buses. However, Mendez’s property will have off-street parking for two vehicles per house. Another resident had proposed putting yellow striping on the curbs on Marlton to prevent parking.

“In terms of any of the striping,” Villalobos said, “that’s something we can discuss with different departments, but we can’t put a condition on the zoning for it.”

Mendez said he feels that once the lot is developed, people will become averse to parking on the street next to it. Commissioner Angie Ramirez said she did not think that would be the case, but she also did not think that the on-street parking issue would be reason to deny the zoning change request.

“You’re kind of the guinea pig on this,” she told Mendez. “Also your neighbors, when we’re in a situation where we’re basically increasing density in an area. I think it’s a good thing … I would just ask that you see what the result is, see what the neighbors’ reaction is to it, so we can all benefit.”