Council approves three rezones and a municipal services agreement for 407-acre annexation

The Lubbock City Council on Feb. 11 approved three zoning requests and a municipal services agreement tied to a petition to annex approximately 407 acres adjacent to the city’s eastern limits.

Planning staff presented three separate rezoning requests that the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended for approval. The council conducted a consolidated public hearing, received no speakers in opposition, and voted to approve agenda items 6.3 through 6.5 by voice vote.

Zone case highlights: - Zone Case 3515: Applicant Lubbock Habitat for Humanity sought a rezoning from Medium Density Residential to Low Density Single-Family for property west of Avenue Q and south of 20th Street. Staff reported 73 mailed notices with three returned in favor and none in opposition. The proposal was consistent with the future land-use designation (low-density residential) and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 8-0-0. - Zone Case 1635B: Applicant Mr. T Auto Sales LLC sought rezoning from Medium Density Residential to Heavy Commercial for a lot north of 40th Street and west of Avenue Q. Staff mailed 47 notices and recorded one in favor and two in opposition; the future land-use map designates the property for commercial use. Planning staff and the commission recommended approval 8-0-0. - Zone Case (Mountaintop Engineering for Yolanda Vargas): Applicant requested rezoning from Low Density Single-Family to Heavy Commercial for property west of Research Boulevard and south of 19th Street. Staff sent 22 notices and recorded no responses for or against. The future land-use map designates the area for mixed use; staff noted the location along Western Railway made heavy commercial appropriate in this instance. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 8-0-0.

Annexation: The council approved a municipal services agreement for a petition to annex roughly 407 acres at North Guava and East Bluefield (agenda item 6.8). Planning staff said that, if approved, an ordinance to annex the property would be brought to council at a later date. The council approved the municipal services agreement by voice vote.

All actions were approved unanimously on voice votes; the transcript records no roll-call tallies. The council did not receive public speakers during the consolidated zoning public hearing and accepted staff recommendations based on compatibility with the comprehensive plan and master thoroughfare plan designations.

Next steps: For the annexation, staff said they will return with an ordinance to effect the annexation. For the rezones, zoning changes take effect according to city procedures for ordinance adoption and posting, and the transcript records no additional conditions attached to approval.