Votes at a glance: Harlingen Commission approves rezoning for 140-house developer, downtown SUP change and other items

The Harlingen City Commission recorded several formal actions during the meeting, including adoption of a rezoning ordinance for a 140-lot Affordable Homes development, an amendment to downtown special-use permit rules, and routine administrative and funding approvals. Below are the key votes and short notes on each.

Votes at a glance

1) Rezoning to Planned Development for 140-lot single-family subdivision (Affordable Homes of South Texas) - Action: Approved ordinance rezoning property at SW corner of Lipscomb Avenue and W. New Hampshire Street from R-1 (single-family) to Planned Development to allow narrower 32-foot paved streets with 50-foot right-of-way and smaller lots for specified lots in a proposed 140-lot development. - Agenda: Item 10b / companion ordinance (10b and 10c on same matter) - Outcome: Motion carried unanimously. - Notes: Developer Bobby Calvillo of Affordable Homes in South Texas described homes expected to range roughly 1,100–1,800 sq ft, with prices discussed in the $100,000–$150,000 range depending on options. The developer emphasized these are market-sale homeownership opportunities, not tax-credit rental projects.

2) Ordinance: Remove downtown-district special-use permit (SUP) requirement and remove blanket prohibition on adult businesses in Downtown Overlay - Action: Amended Code of Ordinances, chapter 111, to eliminate the Downtown Improvement District recommendation step for SUPs and to remove language that categorically prohibited adult businesses in the Downtown District Overlay (application and review still required by city). - Agenda: Item 10a - Outcome: Motion carried; ordinance approved on reading. - Notes: Commissioners debated downtown vision; final approval keeps city review in place and retains council oversight.

3) Authorization for Visit Harlingen (CVB) souvenir sales at Downtown Improvement District office - Action: Ordinance amendment to master fee schedule authorizing sale of souvenir items at the Downtown Improvement District office. - Agenda: Item 10c - Outcome: Approved unanimously. - Notes: Items described included maps, shirts and caps to promote tourism and local events.

4) Preliminary construction plans and final plat approval — Kingswood Subdivision - Action: Approved preliminary construction plans and final plat (approx. 9.815 acres on south side of Primera Road). - Agenda: Item D - Outcome: Approved; motion carried. - Notes: Staff said certain improvements and neighborhood concerns had been addressed prior to the vote.

5) Development Corporation funding for TSTC programs (Gold Line Assistance and CTE signing day scholarships) - Action: Approved funding through the Development Corporation of Harlingen for TSTC workforce/education programs. - Agenda: Item 10e - Outcome: Approved; motion carried.

6) Consent and administrative votes - Action: Commission approved the consent agenda with removal of several items for discussion; approved routine street closure for Harlingen CISD graduation with Commissioner Bettis recorded as abstaining from that vote. - Outcome: Consent items approved as amended.

What this means: The rezoning vote enables a 140-lot subdivision intended for homeownership development by an established local nonprofit builder. The downtown SUP change streamlines a portion of the review process but leaves final authority with the city. Multiple infrastructure and economic-development approvals were also recorded.

Ending: Commissioners and staff said they will post final ordinances and supporting documents and that developers or staff will follow up with timeline details where applicable.