City Plan Commission recommends rezoning of Dewberry Drive parcel for 44 townhomes

The El Paso City Plan Commission voted to recommend rezoning a 6.85‑acre vacant parcel north of Trans Mountain Road and east of Ressler from R‑3A to PR‑2 to allow a proposed 44‑unit townhome development, commissioners heard during the meeting.

The rezoning request matters because it would change allowable uses on the parcel and directly affect neighborhood connectivity, traffic patterns and housing price points in the Northwest Planning Area. Commission staff recommended approval and the commission approved the recommendation by motion.

Jose Buldau, Planning and Inspections staff, told the commission the property is currently vacant, approximately 6.85 acres, and that Plan El Paso’s future‑land‑use map designates the site as “G4 suburban walkable.” He said the conceptual site plan shows 44 townhomes but is not binding and that a detailed site development plan will require subsequent CPC approval. “With that, staff does recommend approval of the rezoning request,” Buldau said.

David Ballard, representing the applicant, described changes the developer proposed after outreach meetings. Ballard said the team will construct the full width of Dewberry Drive rather than just the half‑street improvement typically required, add continuous hardscape and a walking path, and seek to route construction vehicles onto a pipeline easement east of the site to limit construction traffic through the neighborhood. “Instead of doing the half of Dewberry that we'd be required to do, we're gonna do the full width of Dewberry, which I think makes a lot more sense,” Ballard said.

Ballard also addressed price points and ownership format. He said units would be sold individually (not condominium co‑ops) and gave price ranges during his presentation: “These start at 267,009. They go up to $2.99,” and cited a Federal Reserve Bank median list price for El Paso of $268,500 to argue the product is relatively attainable.

Assistant City Attorney Russell Aglin cautioned the commission on terminology used during public discussion. “This is a rezoning, so those aren't generally considered or part of the criteria,” Aglin said, noting the legal criteria for rezoning focus on appropriate use and consistency with the zoning and land‑use map rather than affordability commitments.

Commissioners asked about public response and outreach. Staff said public notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet on 06/04/2025 and that the planning division received one inquiry call, three calls in opposition and one call in support. The applicant reported holding three outreach meetings on March 26, April 29 and June 11 and said they had met with some opponents following those meetings. The Open Space Advisory Board recommended unanimous approval on 07/02/2025, according to the staff presentation.

No members of the public spoke during the item. Commissioners then moved and seconded approval of the staff recommendation; the motion passed with the commission recording the item as approved, and the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

The rezoning approval is a recommendation stage action. A detailed site development plan that complies with the conditions of the staff report and any Commission‑imposed modifications will be required before building permits are issued. The applicant and staff indicated additional design and connectivity work will be addressed during the site‑plan review stage.