Planning and Zoning Commission recommends denial of West Caroline Drive petition, urges moratorium on new short-term rental permits in residential zones

The City of South Padre Island Planning and Zoning Commission on June 19 considered a petition from residents of West Caroline Drive asking the city to convert properties on their block from short-term to long-term rental use.

The petition covers West Caroline Drive from Laguna Boulevard to Laguna Madre Bay. Alex Sanchez, Palouiras, director, told the commission the change would require a zoning change: “we think the only way to do that is a rezoning.” Legal counsel, Ed, said a one-street change would likely amount to spot zoning and raised questions about property rights and recent court rulings on municipal authority over short-term rentals. “You'd have to change every — it wouldn't you just couldn't change that 1 street,” Ed said, adding that homeowners who already rent would likely be…