The City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1002 East Travis Street from R-3 (multi‑family residential) to B-3 (general commercial) to allow a commercial parking lot, overriding planning staff’s recommendation against the change.

The lot is owned by Theodore Valdivas; Dorian Ranjell is listed as the applicant and representative. At the hearing, a speaker identifying herself as Doreen Raquel, speaking for the applicant, told the commission the lot would serve as “an alleviation for parking for customers” of a transmission repair business on Saunders Avenue. Planning staff recommended denial and said the applicant was already the subject of zoning enforcement citations dated March 24, 2025 for “operating a business without a certificate of occupancy,” “using the right of way for commercial purposes,” and “operating an auto repair shop in an R-3 residential zoning district.”

The rezoning matter drew sustained questioning from commissioners about whether changing the zoning would actually reduce on‑street parking on Hendricks Street. Commissioners repeatedly pressed the applicant’s representative about why customer vehicles were not being parked inside the existing lot and whether the rear lot could realistically absorb overflow. Planning staff told the commission a conditional use permit (CUP) had been discussed with the applicant and would have allowed the limited parking use while enabling conditions to mitigate neighborhood impacts; staff said the CUP offered “an additional level of comfort” that a full zone change would not.

Despite those concerns and staff’s recommendation, a commissioner moved “to go against that recommendation and grant the B‑3 use.” The motion passed. Commissioners noted standard site requirements — fencing, paving and distance standards — would still apply if the lot is used for parking. Planning staff also warned that the commission’s recommendation goes next to City Council and that, if City Council denies the rezoning, the applicant would face waiting periods before reapplying.

Doreen Raquel, representing the applicant, told the commission: “Pretty much, we want to alleviate the situation that’s going on on Hendricks Street, which is the excessive parking of customers.” Planning staff stated during the hearing that “staff does not support the proposed zone change.”

The commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning; the item will be forwarded to City Council for final action. City staff also advised the applicant that, if they prefer the conditional use process, they may amend their application and be re‑noticed for a future hearing but would need to submit a new application and comply with any waiting periods triggered by City Council action.

Details about letters and responses accompanying the application were provided at the hearing: staff reported 26 notices were mailed and the record showed responses from members of the public. The commission required that any parking use comply with applicable site standards, including paving and fencing, before allowing customer parking on the lot.