Terrell planning commission approves final plat to subdivide 706 Bethlehem Street into five lots
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Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a final plat that would split 706 Bethlehem Street into five lots; the applicant will still need variances from the Zoning Board of Adjustments for several lot-width shortfalls before building permits can be issued.
TERRELL, Texas — The Terrell Planning and Zoning Commission on April 20 approved a final plat to divide a single parcel at 706 Bethlehem Street into five residential lots, with staff saying the plat meets the city’s subdivision standards but that the owner will need variances before construction can begin.
Planning staff told commissioners the applicant has satisfied the requirements of a final plat and that staff found the submission to comply with the City of Terrell’s comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance. The city’s recommendation noted the property remains zoned for 7.5 single-family lots and that the owner will have to seek variances from the Zoning Board of Adjustments for several lots that fall short of the required lot width.
The final plat would convert one existing parcel into five lots shown on the submitted plat. Staff said Lot 5 meets the stated building-width standard while Lots 1 through 4 are narrower; those four lots will require a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustments for lot width if the owner seeks to build to the dimensions shown. Planning staff said reduced lot widths would still be reviewed for compliance with required setbacks, impervious-cover limits and minimum house size at the ZBA and, if approved there, would return to the commission with construction plats for review.
Commissioners asked staff about past zoning attempts on the site. Planning staff reminded the commission that the owner previously sought a rezoning to allow townhomes; the commission and city council had not favored that rezoning in 2024. On the final-plat application, staff said the proposal complies with zoning and subdivision rules for a five-lot subdivision as presented.
A commissioner moved to approve Final Plat FP25-05 for 706 Bethlehem Street; another commissioner seconded the motion, and the commission carried the motion by voice vote. The minutes and recorded remarks do not list a roll-call tally.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments for any variances. If the ZBA denies required variances, staff said the developer could either develop the parcel as a single lot or return with a replatted configuration that meets the zoning standard.
Background: the property lies in a neighborhood the city identifies as traditional/low-density on its future land-use map. Planning staff said the city’s long-range maps and the existing 7.5 zoning informed the review and the recommendation.
The commission approved the final plat during its April meeting; the owner must still secure any required variances and subsequent construction-plat approvals before building permits may be issued.
