Planning commission approves rezoning at 8 Goldberg Drive to allow four single‑family lots

The El Paso City Planning Commission on a voice vote approved rezoning of a roughly 2.7‑acre parcel at 8 Goldberg Drive and Kings River Place from Rancho Farm to R2A residential to allow up to four single‑family lots, planning staff said.

Planning staff presented the request as consistent with Plan El Paso and the G4 suburban/walkable future‑land‑use designation. The conceptual site plan shown to the commission illustrated four residential lots with primary access from Kings River Place; staff emphasized the conceptual plan is not binding with zoning approval.

Staffer Mr. Pena said the subject property totals about 2.7 acres and showed aerials of surrounding single‑family development and the future‑land‑use map. Staff reported public notice was sent to owners within 300 feet and that the planning division had received two letters and one email in opposition citing increased traffic, infrastructure strain and concerns about property values; staff also noted one email of support was received but not included in the staff report.

Resident Anita Hackett spoke during the public hearing and said she and other nearby residents were worried about traffic access on Artcraft and flooding during construction, questioned whether all nearby neighbors received notice, and said existing congestion in the area made adding four houses undesirable.

Applicant George Hundley of SLR Engineering responded to traffic concerns by estimating modest trip generation for four homes — he described an estimate on the order of five to nine daily trips per home (his words) — and said construction would cause temporary noise but he did not expect long‑term noise or negative effects on surrounding home values. Commissioner questions focused on parcel size and the entrance to the L‑shaped tract; Russell Mendez said the access drive is 20 feet wide.

Commissioner Gorski moved to approve; Commissioner Opelika seconded. The motion carried. The commission and staff noted that rezoning does not obligate the conceptual plan to be built and that platting and any subsequent permitting or development review will address engineering details such as access and drainage.

Staff recommendation: approval (consistent with Plan El Paso, G4 suburban/walkable). Applicant: SLR Engineering/George Hundley. Opposition: letters and public comment citing traffic, drainage and notice concerns. Outcome: motion approved (vote count not specified in transcript).