Cleburne council denies rezoning request for duplex at 308 Featherston Street after residents object

Cleburne City Council on a unanimous vote denied a rezoning request that would have allowed a duplex at 308 Featherston Street, following a public hearing with multiple residents urging the council to preserve the block's historic character.

The rezoning request, filed by applicant Axel Alvarez, sought to change the lot's zoning from SF-10 (single-family) to D (duplex) to allow two housing units on the 0.46-acre parcel. Planning staff, represented at the meeting by city planner Ms. Castillo, noted the item was a carryover from a previous meeting and that the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial by a 7-0 vote.

The duplex proposal drew sustained opposition from homeowners who said the structure would be out of character for the block. "We don't want apartments and that's where we stand today," said Catherine "Kat" Sanders, who described the neighborhood as a long-standing historic area. Tom Tucker, a homeowner on West Heard, told the council he invests in maintaining the authenticity of his 1910 house and opposed placing multifamily structures in the block. Ben Shanklin, whose home at 302 Featherston was built in 1894, described the block as one of the "treasures of Old Towne Cleburne" and said he opposed a rental duplex on that site.

Applicant Axel Alvarez urged the council to approve the rezoning, saying the duplex would follow the Cleburne building code and arguing it would increase property values and accommodate population growth in the region. "Any building, regardless duplex or single, would bring up the property value as opposed to it being left alone as is," Alvarez said. He added the lot had previously held a different designation and that his design would comply with code.

Councilmembers repeatedly referenced the need to preserve the neighborhood's historic fabric. Mayor Pro Tem Blake Jones said the state has limited some local regulation but that zoning remains "our last line of defense" to preserve a district's character. "In the middle of a historic district, I don't think [multifamily] is right," Councilmember John Warren said. Councilmember Oliver Cosby echoed concerns about compatibility and investment by long-term homeowners.

Because the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial and the case exceeded the city's notice-opposition threshold, staff advised a supermajority would be required to overturn that recommendation. After public comment and brief council remarks, Councilmember Blake Jones moved to deny the ordinance; John Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the rezoning was denied.

The decision preserves the lot's existing single-family zoning. The council record includes the prior public hearing comments from the earlier meeting and staff said those remarks would be considered in the final record.

While the council encouraged the applicant to consider other locations for duplex development, members repeatedly emphasized that this block's historic homes and long-term residents factored heavily in the decision. No follow-up direction to staff or conditions were given beyond preserving the current zoning.

Members and speakers (first reference includes role): Blake Jones, Mayor Pro Tem; Oliver Cosby, Councilmember, Single Member District 3; John Warren, Councilmember, Single Member District 4; Ms. Castillo, Planning staff; Axel Alvarez, property owner/applicant; Tom Tucker, resident; Catherine "Kat" Sanders, resident; Jason Marvin, resident; Ben Shanklin, resident; Wilma Reid, historic preservation advocate.