Leon Valley planning commissioners approve replat to allow mosque and learning center at 5307 Wurzbach Road

The Leon Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 28 approved a replat to combine Lots 24 and 25, Block 4 (CB 9904) and the west 250 feet of Lot 5 into a single lot at 5307 Wurzbach Road to allow construction of a mosque and an associated learning center.

The action clears a required platting step before issuance of building permits for the proposed development, which staff said covers approximately 2.62 acres and would include a 6,081-square-foot mosque, a 5,529-square-foot learning center, a parking area with about 15 overflow/staff spaces at the rear and amenities such as a basketball court and picnic area. “It’s approximately 2.62 acres of vacant land,” said Ms. Huerta, planning staff, during her presentation. “A Lot 25 is proposed to include a 6,081 square foot mosque. A Lot 24, 5,529 feet of a learning center and these structures will be facing Wurzbach.”

Why it matters: platting is typically the first formal development step that creates a legal lot configuration on which building permits can be issued. Staff told commissioners that the property’s existing lot lines and setbacks would not accommodate the proposed buildings without the replat. The project previously received a special-use permit (SUP) and staff said the transportation impact analysis (TIA) prepared for the proposal estimated fewer than 100 peak-hour trips, so no further TIA was required.

During public comment and commissioner questions, nearby residents raised concerns about cars exiting the rear parking area onto Blackberry Street and the effect on narrow neighborhood streets, including Seville and Thistle. Commissioner Birch said she was worried about traffic through the residential area, noting the streets “are not very wide or really finished out very well.” Planning staff and a property representative responded that most parking would be along Wurzbach Road, that the rear lot is intended primarily for staff/overflow parking and that the TIA did not trigger additional transportation requirements. The representative noted an access gate for staff parking and said the fire department found the access suitable.

Staff reported procedural and background details: the site has been replatted several times historically (original plats in 1949, 1980s and 1982 noted in staff materials), was rezoned from R-1 to B-3 in 1983, and in 2010 received B-3 with a commercial/industrial overlay. Staff mailed 18 notices for the replat public hearing and reported no letters of support or opposition were received; one mailed notice was returned undeliverable. The applicant has paid required application fees. Because the proposed use is a religious facility, staff noted it would not be taxed, while also observing that parishioners might produce some local sales-tax activity by shopping and dining in Leon Valley.

The commission’s vote on the replat was unanimous. Commissioners also approved two sets of minutes earlier in the meeting — the Jan. 15 minutes were amended to reflect that First Alternate Abraham Diaz attended a training session, and the Nov. 12 minutes were approved as presented. All three motions were approved without recorded opposition.

The commission closed the public hearing and concluded the replat discussion after the applicant’s representative addressed access and parking questions. Commissioners received a brief schedule update from staff about upcoming meetings and a reminder that the draft overlay-district revisions previously discussed will be brought forward for consideration at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance: Replat of Lots 24 and 25, Block 4 (CB 9904) and west 250 feet of Lot 5 into Lot 30R at 5307 Wurzbach Road — motion to approve replat: approved (unanimous). Jan. 15 minutes (amended to show First Alternate Abraham Diaz present at prior training) — approved (unanimous). Nov. 12 minutes — approved (unanimous).