Council rejects rezoning request for 1901 Third Street after residents warn of safety, traffic and character impacts

Floresville — The City Council voted not to approve a request to rezone a 3.7-acre parcel at 1901 Third Street from single‑family residential to business after a string of residents urged the council to reject the change that they said could allow a gas station or truck stop immediately adjacent to a neighborhood park.

Opponents told the council the site sits next to Pond Park and a neighborhood trail used by families and that rezoning to a broader “business B” category could permit uses that would increase traffic, noise, light and pollution. “This development or any zone‑B type of development poses a significant risk to our family and our neighborhood,” said David Simmons, who identified himself as a resident at 1903 Third Street, and later added that he and his wife have young children who use the nearby park.

Why it mattered: The rezoning would change what uses are allowed on the site without requiring a separate rezoning or special‑use application for each business. Residents and several council members said that matters because it could allow high‑traffic commercial uses that are incompatible with the surrounding homes, the park and nearby historic resources.

Council members heard more than a dozen public comments during the meeting. Jessica Cordova, a single mother who lives “just right up the road,” told the council she opposed the change because of worries about public safety and the proximity of the proposed use to children. Rachel Draper said her family lives in a cul‑de‑sac immediately behind the site and that a truck stop or high‑traffic gas station would “diminish the character of the area” and affect funeral processions and cemetery access nearby. Astrid Kravitz and Tiffany Dalton, who live on adjacent streets, cited setback requirements, traffic and concerns about home values.

City staff and planning: City staff supplied the council with the application materials and a copy of the city’s current future land‑use/zoning map; at least one staff speaker noted the city’s planning body had reviewed the request and offered a recommendation (the record in the meeting shows the planning commission recommendation was available to council). Council members noted the city’s future land use map has not been updated in years and said that uncertainty factored into members’ thinking.

Outcome: After discussion the council voted on a motion to approve the rezoning; the motion failed and the rezoning request did not pass. The council did not adopt a different zoning and took no immediate alternative action on the parcel during the meeting.

What the council and residents said next: Several council members urged staff to review the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning map and to consider updates so future requests and public notice consultations better reflect the council’s vision for downtown, the park and residential neighborhoods. Multiple speakers asked staff to prepare clearer summaries of what specific uses each zoning category allows so residents can assess the full range of likely outcomes from a rezoning approval.

Background and next steps: A rezoning approval would not, by itself, create a particular business on the property; a separate site plan, permits and other approvals would normally follow. Residents and some council members asked the city to revisit the future land‑use map and associated ordinances before the council considers similar requests in the future.

Votes at a glance: The council declined to approve the rezoning request for 1901 Third Street; the motion to approve the rezoning failed. The transcript does not record an unambiguous numeric roll call in the final motion; the official minutes will contain the formal tally. Staff recommended follow‑up work on the city’s future land‑use map and better public notifications for nearby property owners.

Ending: Council members directed staff to return with options for updating the future land‑use plan and with a clear list of allowed uses by zone to improve transparency and public outreach on future zoning cases.