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Council approves setback variance for 27913 Southwest Freeway to allow pizza restaurant with drive-through
Summary
Rosenberg City Council voted to grant a variance to reduce front and side parking setbacks so a 7,000-square-foot, two-story restaurant with a drive-through can be built on a 0.72-acre lot between an existing Motel 6 and Shipley27s Donuts.
The Rosenberg City Council voted unanimously Sept. 12 to approve a variance allowing reduced parking and paving setbacks at 27913 Southwest Freeway so a proposed two-story, 7,000-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through can be built. The council approved the variance after a public hearing and a staff presentation.
The applicant, Itoro Philip, who said he has purchased the property, and his business partner, Mwaeke Williams, told the council the lot is narrow and 22locked in22 between existing businesses and cannot meet the city27s standard setbacks without the variance. Williams said the project would generate jobs and tax revenue and added, 22the parcel of land is the only undeveloped property in that stretch.22
Planning staff explained the request: the site is 0.72 acre (platted in 2023 as 104 by 300 feet, about 94 feet across), and the applicant requested a 10-foot parking setback adjacent to the highway in lieu of the code-required 15 feet and a 2.5-foot side setback in lieu of the required 5 feet so the drive-through and required parking can fit on the lot. The application seeks to align the new site27s parking and access with the adjoining Shipley27s Donuts access easement.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 20 and voted 3-1 not to recommend the variance to the council; the commission27s concern focused on access and safety related to the shared driveway. Wayne Poldrack, chairman of the Planning Commission, told the council his principal issue was the single shared entry onto the busy feeder road.
Councilmembers who spoke in favor said the proposed layout would produce a more uniform frontage with the existing development and would provide local economic benefits. Councilmember Hector made the motion to approve the variance; Councilmember Felix seconded it. The council recorded a voice vote and the motion passed.
The approval allows the developer to proceed with the site plan as presented; any additional permits or state approvals required for curb cuts or driveway access remain subject to the applicable agencies27 rules. Shipley27s Donuts and the Motel 6 were identified during the hearing as adjacent properties that shaped the lot27s constraints.
The city clerk will include the variance conditions in the permit package and the applicant must meet all other code and permitting requirements before construction begins.
Residents and applicants were reminded by council members that property buyers should confirm development constraints before purchase; the council did not place additional conditions beyond the variance.
