Abilene planning commission approves several rezonings, tables Westlake industrial request

The City of Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission on May 1 considered multiple rezoning requests across the city, approving the majority while tabling one large industrial proposal to be coordinated with an amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan.

Commissioners approved a mixed-use zoning change along Sales Boulevard that would allow a future medical office combined with continued residential use, and they approved several larger rezonings to permit commercial or denser single-family development in other parts of the city. The commission tabled a 29.26-acre request to rezone property near Westlake Road from agricultural to light industrial so the proposal can be considered concurrently with any amendment to the comprehensive plan.

The tabled case, Z-2025-26, concerns roughly 29.26 acres at 4994 Westlake Road. City planner Kira Velois told the commission the request does not align with the newly adopted comprehensive plan and that staff recommended denial. Neighbors who submitted written and oral comments, including Katie Presswood (4850 Nugent Road) and Joe Cook, urged denial because of safety and traffic concerns at the nearby intersection of Nugent Road and Neese and because the area is currently agricultural. Agent Colton Rhodes said Abilene’s industrial land supply is limited and argued the site is suitable for light industrial development given its proximity to I-20 and emerging data-center demand. After discussion about whether a comprehensive-plan amendment would be required before a zoning approval, the commission voted to table the case and asked staff and the applicant to consider running a plan amendment and rezoning concurrently.

On Sales Boulevard, the commission approved an amendment to PD-104 (Z-2025-25) to allow multifamily uses in Tract 4, a change staff described as consistent with the comprehensive plan and surrounding land uses. Planner Adam Holland said the tract is adjacent to arterial roadway East South 20th Street, and the applicant presented the request as a transition between commercial frontage and single-family neighborhoods; the commission approved the request by voice vote.

A separate Sales Boulevard parcel at 1365 Sales Boulevard (Z-2025-27) drew sustained neighborhood comment. Planner Clarissa Ivy said the owner seeks to convert the medium-density multifamily zoning on roughly a quarter-acre to mixed use so the owner can continue residential use while allowing a future walk-in medical clinic. Neighbors, including Shauna Williford of McElroy & Company (1369 Sales Boulevard), raised concerns about hours of operation, on-site parking and the potential clientele drawn by a late-night, cash-only clinic. The applicant’s representative and a speaker who identified himself as the applicant’s husband said the intent is to provide low-cost, walk-in care and that hours could be flexible. Commissioners discussed that a mixed-use approval would allow the uses by right but that any future clinic would still require a site plan review where hours, parking and signage could be restricted. After deliberation the commission voted to deny the mixed-use request (motion to deny carried by recorded vote).

Other votes and staff recommendations approved by the commission included: - Z-2025-28 (1755 E. Stamford St.): rezoning ~32.55 acres to general commercial (staff recommended approval; motion carried). The agent said roadway improvements to Griffith Road and other infrastructure would accompany future development. - Z-2025-29 (~106.76 acres north of Lantana Avenue): rezoning RS-8 to RS-6 to allow smaller single-family lots (staff recommended approval; motion carried). Applicant’s agent Clayton Ferro said the proposed layout would transition lot sizes to buffer established neighborhoods. - Z-2025-30 (~99.45 acres near Highway 277): rezoning agricultural open to RS-6 (staff recommended approval; motion carried). Speakers for the applicant said Autumn Sage and adjacent roads would be improved as part of the project; a nearby property owner, Twila Walden, objected citing increased traffic and longtime family farming on adjacent property. - Z-2025-31 (4325 Burl Harris Drive): downzoning from heavy industrial to light industrial at a site where the owner seeks office uses (staff recommended approval; motion carried).

Votes at a glance - Z-2025-26 (4994 Westlake Rd., agricultural open → light industrial): TABLED — motion to table to allow concurrent comprehensive-plan amendment; no formal approval. Mover: Commissioner Kevin; second: Commissioner Shante. Outcome: tabled. - Z-2025-25 (PD-104, Tract 4, East South 20th St., allow multifamily in PD): APPROVED — staff recommended approval; commission voted to approve by voice vote. - Z-2025-27 (1365 Sales Blvd., multifamily → mixed use): DENIED — motion to deny carried by roll-call voice vote following public comment raising concerns about hours and parking; denial motion made by Commissioner Kevin and seconded by Gary (recorded votes included split support and opposition). - Z-2025-28 (1755 E. Stamford St., AO/GC/MF → GC): APPROVED — staff recommended approval; motion carried. - Z-2025-29 (6700 block Lantana Ave., RS-8 → RS-6): APPROVED — staff recommended approval; motion carried. - Z-2025-30 (6600 block Highway 277, AO → RS-6): APPROVED — staff recommended approval; motion carried. - Z-2025-31 (4325 Burl Harris Dr., heavy industrial → light industrial): APPROVED — staff recommended approval; motion carried.

Why it matters The commission’s approvals will allow denser single-family subdivisions and new commercial development in several parts of Abilene and reflect staff findings that most requests conform to the adopted comprehensive plan or represent appropriate transitions in land use. The Westlake Road industrial request was tabled because it conflicts with the comprehensive plan; tabling preserves the applicant’s right to refile with a concurrent plan amendment or pursue council review while keeping the planning process aligned with the city's guiding document.

What’s next All rezoning decisions by the Planning and Zoning Commission are recommendations to the City Council. Applicants or opponents may also appeal or bring testimony to council; final decisions on rezonings occur at City Council readings. The tabled Westlake Road case may return only after an amendment to the comprehensive plan is submitted or if the applicant pursues concurrent processing.