Abilene planning commission recommends approval of four zoning and conditional-use requests, debates RV park fencing

The Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission on a routine agenda recommended approval of four zoning and conditional-use requests, including permits for contractor services, freight-container storage, a planned RV park and a rezoning to allow multifamily development.

The recommendations mean each item will move to the Abilene City Council for final action, with the commission noting that council will hold two readings on zoning matters and that appeals to the commission’s recommendations must be filed in writing with the city secretary within 10 days of the meeting.

Staff said each request met local planning criteria and the comprehensive plan. Mason Teegarden, division manager for the Planning Department, presented the contractor-services request for 625 East South 11th Street and said the 0.9-acre site is zoned general commercial and is “consistent with the comprehensive plan, the surrounding uses and zoning, the generally accepted planning principles, and the criteria for approval in the LDC.” The commission approved the conditional use permit subject to conformance with the submitted site plan and plan of operations.

Clarissa, a city planner, presented a conditional use permit for freight containers at 718 South Clack Street, a 1.81-acre site behind an existing furniture store. Clarissa said the applicant had already begun installing perimeter fencing and that staff recommended approval provided a building permit is obtained within 30 days and required setbacks and screening are met. Commissioners approved the permit.

The commission spent its most substantive discussion on a conditional use permit for a proposed 15.03-acre RV park at 3201 Dub Bridal Boulevard. Adam, a city planner, said the property is zoned AO (Agriculture Open), which permits an RV park only through a conditional use permit, and that staff recommended approval subject to the plan of operations and an opaque perimeter fence because the plan did not specify fence opacity. Clayton Ferro, agent for the developer Jacob & Martin, said the developer would fence the entire property but asked that opaque fencing not be required as a permit condition because materials and locations were still to be determined during site-plan design.

A nearby resident, Ray Renfro, asked about fencing material, height and whether long-term stays would be permitted. Adam said typical fences in Abilene can be up to 7 feet in height and that the plan of operations posted with the agenda includes operating hours and other details; Clayton said the developer would clarify duration-of-stay and fencing materials during site-plan development. Commissioner Mitch Pruse moved to approve the RV-park permit subject to the submitted concept plan and plan of operation but without making opaque fencing a required condition; Commissioner Kevin seconded. The commission recommended approval and noted the first City Council reading on the project is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 8:30 a.m.

The commission also recommended rezoning about 22.14 acres at 6310 Butterfield Trail from Agriculture Open to multifamily. Mason Teegarden said no site plan has been developed yet and staff found the rezoning consistent with the comprehensive plan and surrounding uses. Clayton Ferro, agent for the applicant, described the request as a standard rezoning and said multifamily is an appropriate transition between nearby commercial and medium-density zoning.

Votes at a glance - Conditional Use Permit KCUP-20205-3 (contractor services), 625 E South 11th St.: Motion to approve subject to the site plan; moved by Commissioner Kevin; seconded by Ms. Fleming; Commissioners Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham voted yes. Motion carries (recommendation to city council). - Conditional Use Permit CUP-20250-4 (freight containers), 718 S Clack St.: Motion to approve subject to building permit obtained within 30 days and required setbacks/screening; moved by Commissioner Mitch Pruse; seconded by Commissioner Kevin; Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham voted yes. Motion carries (recommendation to city council). - Conditional Use Permit CUP-20205-5 (RV park), 3201 Dub Bridal Blvd.: Motion to approve subject to the submitted concept plan and plan of operation without requiring opaque perimeter fencing as a condition; moved by Commissioner Mitch Pruse; seconded by Commissioner Kevin; Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham voted yes. Motion carries (recommendation to city council). City council first reading scheduled Feb. 27 at 8:30 a.m. - Zoning case KC20205-03 (rezoning AO to multifamily), 6310 Butterfield Trail: Straight motion to approve rezoning; moved and seconded (movers not specified on the record); Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham voted yes. Motion carries (recommendation to city council).

What commissioners and staff said - Mason Teegarden, division manager for the Planning Department: Presented the contractor-services and Butterfield rezoning requests and told the commission each was consistent with the comprehensive plan and LDC criteria. - Clarissa, planner with the City of Abilene: Presented the freight-container request and said staff recommended approval conditioned on a building permit within 30 days and compliance with setbacks and screening requirements. - Adam, planner for the City of Abilene: Presented the RV-park request, said the site is zoned AO and that staff recommended an opaque perimeter fence because the plan of operations did not specify opacity. - Clayton Ferro, agent for Jacob & Martin: Represented the RV-park and Butterfield rezoning applicants; said the developer would fence the RV park perimeter but asked that opaque fencing not be mandatory as a condition of the CUP. - Ray Renfro, resident: Asked about fence material and height, ownership and management of the RV park, and whether long-term stays would be allowed.

Next steps and context All four recommendations now move to the Abilene City Council for final action; council will hold two readings and may adopt, modify or deny the proposals. Appeals of commission recommendations must be filed in writing with the city secretary within 10 days. The commission noted packet materials and the plan of operations are posted on the city website for public review.

The commission adjourned after a brief announcement about a 3:30 p.m. State of the City address at the DoubleTree Hotel.