Everman planning commission recommends denial of rezoning for 200 West Enon

The Everman Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend denial of zoning case 4360, a request to rezone 200 West Enon Avenue from A2 (single-family residential) to M1 (two-family residential/duplex).

Staff told the commission the rezoning would be inconsistent with the city's future land-use plan and could amount to spot zoning that sets a difficult precedent for similar single lots. "The multifamily housing is not consistent with the future land use plan," a staff member said during the presentation. Staff recommended denial and identified off-street parking requirements in the zoning code as a compliance obstacle.

The property owner, Jorge Sandoval, asked the commission to approve the rezoning and said the structure has been used like a duplex for decades. Sandoval told the commission that postal delivery records and an Encore electric service identifier show prior service to a rear address at 103 North Cunningham, and that "it does have the 2 separate meters on it." He said some interior and mechanical work had been done without permits and that he was attempting to regularize the property.

Commissioners and staff discussed several technical and policy points: staff reported the parcel currently shows a single water service and city records include no permits or zoning changes for two separate units; code requirements for an M1 duplex require a minimum of five off-street parking spaces; and approving one rezoning could create a transitional corridor that invites more rezones in adjacent single-family areas. One staff speaker summarized the practical effect: even if the commission recommends approval, the owner would still have to meet multifamily site standards before receiving building or renovation permits.

The commission then voted on a motion to recommend denial of zoning case 4360. The roll-call vote was recorded as follows: Brenda Edmond, yes; May Hill, yes; Tony Young, yes; Judy Welborn, yes; President Ricky Garcia, yes. The motion carried 5-0.

The commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Everman City Council, which is scheduled to hear the case on April 8 at 6:00 p.m. Staff and the commission reminded the owner that denial at this stage is a recommendation, not an order to demolish the structure, and noted the owner may reapply or pursue compliance options depending on the council's decision.

Key documentary details discussed during the hearing include the city's zoning code parking requirement for duplexes (Article 6, section 6.5.a, as cited by staff), the two addresses associated with the lot (200 West Enon and 103 North Cunningham), and the lack of permitting records for conversion work. The commission's discussion emphasized precedent and neighborhood compatibility as the principal reasons for its recommendation.