Council advances first reading of zoning and parking ordinance amid neighborhood calls for more vetting

The El Paso City Council on July 22 approved the first reading of several planning and zoning ordinances, including Item 19, which would change zoning/parking categories and allow parking reductions in parts of the Uptown redevelopment area. The vote was procedural — advancing the ordinances to public hearing — but drew sustained public comment and multiple council members' requests for additional stakeholder engagement.

Representative Limon opened the item by stressing that the action was a first reading and not a final decision. "This is not a final decision," Limon said, adding the public will have "about a month" to review and participate before the item returns for final action.

Several residents and civic representatives asked that the specific item be postponed so the city could present and consult directly with affected property owners. Mary Bardosh asked council to postpone Item 19 and require a formal presentation to stakeholders, saying she believed Texas law protocol requires stakeholder presentation before an item is placed on a final agenda. Linda Troncoso, a local civil engineer redeveloping property in the Uptown district, told council the study underpinning the ordinance characterized on‑street parking in front of homes and businesses as "excess" and estimated 12,000–14,000 extra on‑street spaces, a conclusion she said requires careful vetting with residents who will be affected.

"Part of what you just heard previously saying we need to vet this, is a request to see those people whose properties are actually going to be impacted Understand what's going on," Troncoso said, noting the Uptown redevelopment plan has been in development since 2019 and that some stakeholders reported receiving no follow‑up after meetings last year.

Representative Canales and planning staff described an outreach program that began before April 2024 and continued since, including presentations to neighborhood associations and professional groups. Canales listed outreach contacts: the Chihuahuita Neighborhood Association; Familia Unida; Sun City, Kern Place, Rim Area and Rio Grande neighborhood associations; the South Side Neighborhood Association; the American Institute of Architects; AARP El Paso; developers' focus groups; the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors; Urban Land Institute El Paso; and multiple civic groups. Canales said many of those groups have provided letters of support or are in the process of doing so and urged the council to proceed with the first reading because a public hearing date must be advertised.

Other council members asked staff to continue outreach during the month before the public hearing and to reschedule meetings requested by civic groups that had to cancel. Representative Maldonado Rocha and others repeatedly urged early stakeholder involvement whenever an ordinance could affect residents.

Clarifying details

- This meeting advanced the first reading of Item 19 (and related ordinances Items 17–23). First reading does not adopt final ordinance language; it sets a public hearing date.

- Stakeholders and groups staff reported contacting include neighborhood associations (Kern Place, Rim Area, Rio Grande, Sunset Heights, South Side), the American Institute of Architects, AARP El Paso, the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors and the Urban Land Institute El Paso chapter.

- A study cited in testimony claimed 12,000–14,000 on‑street spaces characterized as "excess" in areas considered for redevelopment; speakers said property owners need clearer explanation of that methodology.

Why the issue matters

Proposed parking reductions and zoning changes can alter on‑street parking availability, redevelopment potential, and neighborhood character. Residents said they want direct presentations and follow‑up before final votes to ensure affected homeowners and businesses understand projected changes and mitigation measures.

Next steps

Council approved the first reading and scheduled public hearings; staff committed to continuing outreach and to provide clear descriptions of proposed language and impacts. If stakeholders request postponement after outreach, council members said they would consider delaying final action.