Commission approves variances to allow 20 Ninth townhome subdivision despite staff opposition

The McAllen City Commission approved three variances requested for a proposed 42‑lot townhome development called the 20 Ninth Subdivision, overriding staff’s recommendation to disapprove the variances.

Staff described the site as a long, narrow tract on the east side of North 20 Ninth Street, about 300 feet south of Incarnate Word Avenue, with surrounding uses that include single‑family homes, an elementary school and the McAllen youth baseball complex. The developer’s engineer requested three variances: reduce the required Frontera Road right‑of‑way dedication from 30 feet to 20 feet from centerline (staff said the engineer proposed to provide a 10‑foot sidewalk and utility easement on the north side), not to require the northward extension of North 20 Seventh, and to waive the 900‑foot maximum block length for townhomes.

Staff told commissioners the narrower dedication and lack of street extension would affect mobility and that, because of proposed density, the city prefers 30 feet of right‑of‑way for Frontera and continuation of North 20 Seventh. Planning & Zoning considered the variances on Dec. 17 and recommended approval by a 3–2 vote; staff recommended disapproval. Commissioners discussed lot depth, retention/drainage considerations and whether the block length variance would be significant once final engineering is done.

A commissioner moved to approve the subdivision variances contrary to staff recommendation; the motion passed. The transcript records the subdivision had otherwise received unanimous approval at an earlier stage, and that final design matters such as the drainage report will be resolved at final plat and engineering review.

Because staff recommended disapproval, the commission's approval advances the subdivision to final engineering and platting steps where drainage and retention will be finalized.