Laredo planning commissioners back staff, deny zoning upgrade sought to regularize grocery kiosk

At its meeting, the City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to support staff’s recommendation and not approve a rezoning request to change Lot 12, Block 446 (address listed in the record as both 202 West San Carlos Street and 2202 West San Carlos Street) from R‑3 (residential) to B‑1 (local business), a request filed to regularize operation of a grocery store and its front food kiosk.

The owner and applicant, Sergio Valentin Briones, told the commission the store has operated at the location since 1981 and that the kiosk has provided daily meals and groceries for neighborhood customers who often lack vehicles. "We sell close to a million dollars, so there's a lot of support for for the store," Briones said, describing local demand and online followings for the business.

Planning staff told commissioners the parcel sits inside an otherwise uniform residential area and…