Neighbors raise safety and parking concerns; council tables PD request for Lots 1–7 pending site plan

The City Council on Feb. 25 voted to table a request to rezone Lots 1–7 in a previously platted neighborhood to a Plan Development (PD) district after neighbors raised concerns about parking, neighborhood character and a capped oil well on the property.

Staff said the applicant, Norberto Brito (consultant for developer Edgar Rodriguez), sought PD zoning to allow a mix of single-family homes on some lots and duplex/townhouse-style units on others. Brito said proposed two-story duplex/townhouse units would range from roughly 1,200 to 1,800 square feet and would include two on-site parking spaces each, with rear garages served by alleys.

Neighbor Paul Miller told the council he supports development but objected to duplexes on Lots 1–3 because the resulting parking and curb-side spillover would affect long-established single-family yards on the short cul-de-sac. Miller also said a previously condemned oil well had been plugged and expressed concern about subsurface issues.

Planning staff recommended denial because no site plan accompanied the PD application; the city’s ordinance requires a site plan for PD requests to show setbacks, parking and circulation. After discussion the council voted to table the request and require the applicant to return with a complete site plan addressing parking, setbacks, grading, and documentation about the abandoned well. The tabling motion passed unanimously.

Council and staff noted additional steps: the site plan will be reviewed by engineering and building departments for drainage, utility connections and any special foundation or remediation requirements tied to the old well. Until the applicant returns with the required documentation, no zoning change will be adopted.