Commission approves two short‑term rental permits, denies one; members raise saturation and tax‑compliance concerns

The Waxahachie Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday reviewed three separate specific‑use permits for short‑term rental (STR) use and recommended approval of two and denial of one.

512 North College Street (ZDC‑207‑2024). Staff said the property at 512 N. College is on approximately 0.459 acres, contains a 4,761‑square‑foot primary structure with seven bedrooms and parking for up to five vehicles. Notices went to 66 properties in the 500‑foot buffer; staff received three letters of opposition and six letters of support. Staff noted the county appraisal district initially did not list the property as a homestead, but a commissioner later reported the appraisal site showed a homestead exemption; the applicant said the exemption likely carried over when the property was purchased in May 2024 and that they would correct the record. The applicant, Jennifer Henton (representing Legends Real Estate Holdings LLC), said the property has been mostly empty and that she and her mother are the local emergency contacts. Commissioner Sheryl raised concerns about neighborhood saturation, noting nearby approved STRs and asking how “saturation” would be defined. The commission voted to recommend approval 4‑to‑1.

708 South Rogers Street (ZDC‑218‑2024). Staff described a primary structure of about 1,388 square feet with two bedrooms and an accessory structure of 480 square feet with one bedroom; staff reported one letter of opposition and six letters of support, with some responses inside the 200‑foot buffer. The owner is Graley Holdings LLC; applicant Brad Yates said hotel‑occupancy taxes overdue on the property were paid as of the day of the meeting, and that the site can accommodate more off‑street parking (he described roughly eight off‑street spaces available). The commission moved to recommend approval; the motion carried unanimously.

807 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (ZDC‑220‑2024). Staff told commissioners the applicant had been operating the property as an STR without an approved SUP, had not been paying hotel‑occupancy taxes and did not provide required application materials (host rules and a local emergency contact). The applicant was not present; staff recommended denial and the commission voted to recommend denial.

Across the STR items commissioners pressed staff and applicants on paperwork: homestead/exemption status in county records, hotel‑occupancy‑tax registration and the content of host rules (including parking restrictions). Commissioners also discussed the neighborhood pattern of STR approvals and whether a policy response to perceived “saturation” is needed; staff said there is no city rule that quantifies saturation. The commission's recommendations will be forwarded to city council for final action.