The City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for Ili and Ili Plaza Subdivision with changes the developer requested to staff’s recommended conditions, after more than an hour of discussion about a secondary access point, easement width and whether an automatic fire gate should be required.

The applicant’s representative, Ricardo Ramos of Durant Engineering (speaking for the developer), asked the commission to delete planning comment number 1 and related traffic and fire notes that would have required connecting Allegheny to Shiloh with a full 50‑foot right of way and installing an automatic-entry gate for emergency access. Ramos said his client could use the area for parking and preferred an easement rather than a dedicated public street. Planning staff had argued the subdivision needs a full alternative access because it exceeds the threshold for a single access and because a full road would best serve long‑term mobility and safety.

A Fire Department representative stressed the safety issue during the hearing: “We do need that secondary access point,” the representative told commissioners, noting the subdivision’s size and the mobility risk of having only a single access.

The developer said he could accept other compromises: at one point his representative said, “If it helps, I can just eliminate the gate completely,” meaning he would leave the easement open rather than install a locked gate for emergency use only. Staff explained that, under the subdivision ordinance, if primary access to a lot is not from the mapped street the developer must provide a 50‑foot paved access to city standards; planning staff asked for that standard. The applicant proposed a 25‑foot emergency access and utility easement instead; planning and fire staff debated whether a 25‑foot easement would meet safety and traffic expectations.

After discussion and negotiation, the commission approved the plat with the developer’s requested edits: planning note number 7 was to be revised so that the middle lot would access Wyndham Terrace as described by the applicant, and the commission removed planning note number 1, planning note number 2 (related to connection), traffic comment number 1 and the staff-suggested fire gate requirement. The final motion approved the preliminary plat “subject to staff comments” with those specific planning, traffic and fire items removed. Commissioners recorded the motion as passed following a roll call.

Planning staff continued to express a preference for a full road connection and a larger right of way, and cautioned that a narrower easement could limit future access and driveways; staff also said ordinance minima apply and that other city departments could require wider sections at the development/permit stage. The record shows the commission’s approval nonetheless moved forward with the narrower emergency access approach and with the developer’s commitment to provide emergency‑access easements and other plat notes addressing access and cemetery relocation issues on the site.

Commissioners and staff noted the developer had researched cemetery relocation procedures and that additional approvals or processes would be required if graves are to be moved. The commission’s vote advanced the plat to the next procedural step; the developer must still satisfy staff comments and final plat requirements prior to final approval and construction.