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Commission conditionally approves driveway modification at 4500 Hastings Drive; owner to revise plan to meet city standards and maintain parkway cover
Summary
The commission accepted staff recommendations for a driveway extension after the fact at 4500 Hastings Drive, requiring the applicant to revise the site plan to meet City of El Paso driveway/apron standards and to maintain 50% living ground cover in the parkway.
The Historic Landmark Commission conditionally approved staff recommendations for a driveway extension done after the fact at 4500 Hastings Drive, directing the applicant to submit a revised site plan that meets City of El Paso driveway/apron standards and preserves at least 50% living ground cover in the parkway.
Staff said the corner property (a 1924 contributing building) sought permission to extend a gate and create vehicle access to park cars inside the lot. The applicant had originally proposed a 16-foot opening; during construction the opening widened to about 22 feet, and an inspector reported there was no permit for the larger curb cut. Staff advised that while the gate design could remain, the curb cut/apron must meet the city standard (typically a maximum curb-cut width of 24 feet) and the parkway must retain 50% living ground cover as required by the design guidelines.
Project manager Marques Garcia, representing Imbella Contractors, explained the driveway geometry required extra width so vehicles could maneuver where the garage widens inside the lot. He said the team is willing to revise the plan and suggested two side-by-side curb cuts (a 14-foot and an 8-foot) with a planted island between them to meet the curb-cut standards. Staff and commissioners discussed options including narrowing the apron to 24 feet, retaining a planted island in the parkway, or reconfiguring the paved area so the garage remains useable.
The commission approved staff's recommendation with the condition that the applicant submit an updated site plan showing a curb-cut and apron that comply with city standards (24-foot apron recommended) and that the parkway maintain 50% living ground cover. Staff will review the revised plan; permits will only be issued if the revised site plan meets the applicable standards.
Next steps: applicant to provide a revised site plan to the Historic Preservation Office for administrative review and staff to coordinate with Planning and Inspections regarding curb-cut dimensions and any necessary adjustments to the proposal.
