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Commission tables rezoning request for Honor Lane community center amid veterans’ concerns
Summary
After extended public comment from veterans, nonprofit leaders and residents, the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 21 tabled an Office 1 rezoning request for a 0.16-acre parcel at 1252 Honor Lane that had housed a community center tied to a veterans-focused subdivision; the item will return to the commission at a later date.
The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission on April 21 voted unanimously to table a rezoning request for 0.16 acres at 1252 Honor Lane that would change the property from Planned Development Single Family Attached 3 to Office 1.
Senior planner Shelby Smith told the commission the application seeks Office 1 to allow an office use on a corner parcel that had been associated with an earlier ordinance (Ordinance No. 2018-4888) and the Crossley Addition subdivision. Smith said the property had been intended as a community center for a veterans-focused development but noted the broader subdivision has been sold to separate owners and the community center has been vacant for more than a year. "The proposed zoning district of Office 1 is in compliance with the urban residential future development plan," Smith said.
Why it mattered: Residents, multiple veterans’ groups and nonprofit leaders urged commissioners to preserve the center’s community purpose and to resolve disputes over how the property changed hands after Habitat for Humanity’s involvement. Commissioners tabled the case to allow further discussion and possible community resolution before council consideration.
Public testimony and background - Tamara ("Nikki") Tharp, who identified herself as the owner through Faithful Ambitions LLC, told commissioners she had purchased multiple units from Habitat for Humanity and received the community center with the sale; she said the HOA was never fully formed and that the building had been handed over in its current condition. Tharp said she would be open to selling the building "below market" to a nonprofit or another buyer interested in operating it as a community center. - Pat Patterson, who described his involvement assisting with development and financing while Habitat struggled to complete sales, said he had expected the site to remain a veterans-only community and described volunteer work and services provided when the center was active. Patterson said he had previously arranged to acquire the center and to have the city purchase it and donate it to a local nonprofit, but said that sale did not occur. - Several veterans and community advocates spoke in opposition to rezoning the parcel to commercial use. Mary Grace Sellers, founder of Veterans Outreach Ministry, and Dr. Sandra Crossley, president of Citizens for Progress, described extensive volunteer work to improve the property and said many of the 26 units in the subdivision are occupied by veterans. Resident Rick Kendrick said, "as of today, we have 14 veteran homeowners that are currently alive and kicking on Honor Lane" and that 15 homes were veteran-owned; advocates said the parcel had been intended to support veterans’ services.
Planning and procedural details - Staff said 19 notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet; initial returns showed one in agreement and one in disagreement but staff later counted roughly seven returned forms in disagreement from within the 200-foot area. Newspaper notice was published April 10 per state law and local ordinance. - Smith said utilities (water and wastewater) are available and that the requested Office 1 zoning would permit low-rise, garden-style professional, financial or medical office uses that are generally allowed in urban residential contexts.
Commission action and next steps - Commissioner Morales moved, Commissioner Rhodes seconded and the commission voted unanimously to table the item. Recorded votes: Commissioner Morales—Aye; Commissioner Walker—Aye; Commissioner Juracek—Aye; Commissioner Rhodes—Aye; Commissioner Kearney—Aye; Chair Kira Krause—Aye. - Commissioners and several speakers asked staff and the applicant to pursue negotiations with community advocates and to ensure council receives documentation of utility capacity, property ownership history and any offers to transfer the community center to a nonprofit or veterans’ organization. Staff said tabling places the matter on the commission’s next agenda unless otherwise noticed and that the item will appear on the next PCC agenda by default.
The public hearing was left open during portions of the discussion and formally closed before the motion to table; commissioners requested additional materials and encouraged the owner and local organizations to continue discussions before the next hearing.
