Aransas Pass council approves 1-year conditional use permit for RV at 955 South Whitney

Aransas Pass City Council approved a one-year conditional use permit on Feb. 17, 2025, allowing a recreational vehicle to be used as temporary living quarters for a caretaker at 955 South Whitney.

The permit was granted after a public hearing in which the property owner, Patricia Lance, explained that she and her brother have combined households to stay financially stable and that the RV provides separate sleeping space. Neighbors, including Michael Barrera, opposed the request citing concerns about sightlines, property values and the RV appearing to be used as permanent housing. Planning staff told the council the city code for the R7A single-family zoning district does not allow anyone to live in an RV without a conditional use permit.

Planning staff reported that 21 notices were sent before the planning-and-zoning hearing and that planning and zoning recommended denial because the code does not permit living in an RV in the R7A district. Lance told the council her brother moved in during COVID, the RV is not connected to water or sewer and is powered only by electricity, and that there is a one-year waiting list for public housing locally. She said she originally requested a longer period but would accept a shorter, temporary permit while they seek other housing.

Neighbor Michael Barrera told the council that new houses on his street were recently built and valued at over $300,000 and said, "It brings down the taxes in other homes," arguing the RV reduces neighborhood values. Planning staff (Brenda) told the council, "It is against the code. It does not allow anyone living in an RV in the R 7 A zoning district." Patricia Lance said, "I'm 80, and I don't need physical help," and described the RV as providing privacy and shared household help rather than formal caregiving.

Council members discussed the fairness of the rule, the application cost and the risk of granting long-term exceptions. The applicant paid the required application fee (the planning office noted the full application cost was about $1,000, including notice and processing fees). The city noted the municipal code allows a maximum conditional use permit of five years but that shorter, temporary permits are common for special cases.

A council member moved to approve a conditional use permit for one year for the property at 955 South Whitney (agenda item PZ2025); the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The council did not record individual named roll-call votes in the transcript.

The permit allows the RV on the property as temporary living quarters for a caretaker for one year. City staff and the applicant indicated the RV remains unconnected to sewer and water and is intended as a short-term arrangement while the household pursues other housing options. If the owner seeks an extension or a longer permit, she would need to return to the council; the code allows a permit up to five years but the council limited this case to one year.