San Angelo council adopts $1.4 million budget amendment for land sale, approves multiple rezonings and annexations; tables one rezoning

The San Angelo City Council on April 13 approved a $1.4 million amendment to the current fiscal-year budget to allow a development corporation to purchase about 251.8 acres of city land and voted to approve a package of rezoning, annexation and right-of-way items; one rezoning case on North Chadbourne was tabled for further review.

Tina Dierski, the city’s director of finance, told council the single budget amendment (Item A) is “in the amount of $1,400,000” to allow the development corporation (CoCo D.C.) to buy approximately 251.8 acres of land from the city. The motion to approve the ordinance’s first reading and budget amendment passed unanimously, 6-0.

The council then considered a series of zoning and land-use items largely recommended by staff and the Planning Commission. Aaron Venoy, director of Planning and Development Services, summarized each rezoning as a city-initiated or applicant-requested change intended to align zoning with existing uses or future development plans. Planning staff said most matters had been reviewed by the Planning Commission, which recommended approval in each case where noted.

After limited discussion, the council approved several rezonings by unanimous votes (6-0). Approved items included: a multi-parcel rezoning near Angelo State University from light manufacturing to general commercial and high-rise multifamily (Z25-2); rezoning of properties at 217 and 221 E. Avenue K from general heavy commercial to low-rise multifamily (Z25-03 / CP2501); a rezoning at 2621 S. Bryant from single-family to neighborhood commercial (Z25-07); a parcel in Arden Acres to low-rise multifamily (Z25-09); the rezoning of Kirby Park properties from single-family to neighborhood commercial to accommodate park uses and a new splash pad (ZZ5-10); and annexation and rezoning of two small subdivisions totaling about 17.139 acres along Pinon Ridge and Trippington Way (annexation and ZZ5-11 / ZZ5-12). The council also approved an abandonment of an alley in the Miles Addition (ROW25-01) subject to standard conditions including platting and payment; that motion passed 6-0.

Council members delayed action on a rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment for properties at 2802, 2810 and 2830 North Chadbourne (Z24-16 / CP24-6). Council discussion showed confusion about which adjacent residents had objected, concerns that a historic club/bar use could return next to long-standing homes, and uncertainty about whether the neighborhood resident who spoke at Planning Commission lived adjacent to the properties in question. After debate about potentially downgrading the requested zoning from heavy commercial to general commercial, council directed staff to clarify ownership, adjacent addresses and neighbor concerns and to return the matter for reconsideration rather than take a vote at this meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (multiple routine items): approved, 6-0. - Item A — Budget amendment for CoCo D.C. land purchase ($1,400,000): approved, 6-0. - Item B — Rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment for 2802, 2810, 2830 N. Chadbourne (Z24-16 / CP24-6): tabled for clarification; no vote on final ordinance. - Item C — Z25-2 (rezoning near ASU to general commercial and RM2): approved, 6-0. - Item D — Z25-03 / CP2501 (217 & 221 E. Avenue K to low-rise multifamily; comp plan to commercial): approved, 6-0. - Item E — Z25-07 (2621 S. Bryant to neighborhood commercial): approved, 6-0. - Item F — Z25-09 (Arden Acres lots to RM1 low-rise multifamily): approved, 6-0. - Item (Kirby Park) — ZZ5-10 (park parcels to neighborhood commercial to permit park/recreational uses and new splash pad): approved, 6-0. - Annexations / Rezones (Pinon Ridge & Trippington Way): annexation and rezoning approved, 6-0. - ROW25-01 (abandon alley in Miles Addition): approved, 6-0.

Why it matters: The budget amendment enables a planned land sale that could advance a large development project; the rezoning and annexation approvals adjust land-use rules across multiple neighborhoods — affecting future housing, commercial development, parks and infrastructure. The tabled Chadbourne case illustrates local sensitivity where commercial uses abut longstanding homes.

Council action and next steps: Approved items proceed through ordinance adoption (second reading/publication where required) or standard plat/permit review. The Chadbourne rezoning will return after staff clarifies resident addresses, property ownership and whether the owner will accept a less-intensive zoning or reject the Tiers incentive tied to rezoning.

Notes: Planning staff said most rezoning items had received Planning Commission approval, usually by 7-0 votes. Several council members emphasized circulation, drainage and fire access as outstanding implementation issues that will be addressed in future site-plan, platting and infrastructure reviews.