Board approves special-use permit and parking variances for The Yards at Amelia food‑truck court

The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval Jan. 15 of a special-use permit to formalize longstanding food‑truck operations at The Yards at Amelia (7551 West 4th Avenue) and granted a parking variance that reduces required spaces to a level the owner proposed, subject to conditions.

The property owner previously obtained rezoning and non‑use variances for adaptive reuse of warehouses in the Amelia District. The current request asked the board to (1) allow food trucks as a special use in a C‑3 district and (2) approve a further parking reduction to permit 52 spaces where 350 spaces would be required under current code, reflecting the site’s mix of uses and staggered operational hours.

Applicant attorney Alejandro Arias told the board the Yards is an entertainment destination that includes indoor pickleball courts, offices, a cigar shop and other amenities. He said uses are staggered throughout the day and night so parking demand is spread over time; the site has hosted events with as many as 1,500 attendees without reported operational issues, he said.

Arias also outlined proposed conditions to be memorialized in restrictive covenants prior to second reading, including on‑site tree planting (58 trees or payment in lieu at $750 per tree), prohibition of automotive repair uses, a fire‑rated wall along the north property line and business tax‑receipt requirements.

Board members praised the applicant for bringing the request forward to regularize the existing activity. After public hearing, Board Member Jimenez moved approval with conditions; the motion passed on roll call and the clerk announced the item approved with conditions.

Planning staff will draft the ordinance and the declaration of restrictive covenants to record the conditions approved by the board; the item will proceed to City Council for a final decision.