Council approves special-use permit for manufactured home at 105 Cedar Street with covered-parking condition
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Summary
After a contested public hearing and neighborhood testimony for and against, Lockhart City Council reversed the Planning and Zoning Commission denial and granted a specific-use permit allowing a new manufactured home at 105 Cedar St., with a condition that the parcel provide covered parking consistent with requirements for site-built homes.
Lockhart City Council voted to reverse a Planning and Zoning Commission denial and grant a specific-use permit to allow a manufactured home on a 0.31-acre lot at 105 Cedar Street. The council attached a condition requiring covered parking consistent with the city's requirements for site-built homes.
Planning Director David Fowler summarized the application and site plan, saying the proposed 1,984-square-foot manufactured home would meet minimum lot-size and setback requirements and would include parking for three vehicles because it is a four-bedroom unit. Fowler said the planning commission voted 4–2 with one abstention to deny the request on May 14, citing neighborhood concerns about mixing manufactured homes with site-built homes and points such as absence of covered parking on manufactured homes.
Applicant representative Gene Bridal (contractor) and property owners Jaden Bateman and Elijah Sanchez described a multi-generational family connection to the parcel—acquired in 1952—and said the new home would improve the appearance of a formerly dilapidated structure. Neighbors speaking in favor described long-standing personal ties to the owners and said they supported allowing the home on family-owned land. Opponents and a Planning and Zoning co-chair, Manuel Oliva, cited concerns about construction standards, inspection differences between site-built and manufactured homes, and the potential for subsequent similar approvals in the neighborhood.
Council members questioned staff on inspection differences and on how manufactured homes are assessed for tax purposes. The Caldwell County Chief Appraiser, Shanna Remsinski, told council that recent market sales indicate manufactured homes have been holding value in the area. Staff and council also discussed the city’s firm water/well capacity, neighborhood context, and the city code provisions that allow the council to attach conditions intended to preserve compatibility with surrounding uses.
A motion to grant the specific-use permit was made, and council amended the approval to add a requirement that covered parking be provided to match the requirement for stick-built homes. Council raised hands for the motion, and the mayor announced the motion passed. Staff will follow up to ensure the parking pad and any additional conditions are implemented as part of the permit.
