Planning commission denies motel variance near schools on Hillcroft Avenue

The Houston Planning Commission on Thursday denied a variance request that would have allowed a proposed 41-room independent motel at 62100 Hillcroft Avenue to operate within 750 feet of nearby schools and a health facility.

Xavier Academy’s head of school, David Garner, and Anne Scamardo, property manager for a nearby building that houses schools and nonprofits, told the commission they opposed the hotel variance. They said the proximity of the motel to schools, including a nearby elementary school, was a safety concern and raised examples from other Houston neighborhoods where independent motels were linked to illicit activity.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant had not demonstrated a hardship to justify the variance and asked for a deferral to allow the applicant time to provide additional documentation and reach out to the protected uses. Instead, Commissioner Baldwin moved to deny the variance; Commissioner Robbins seconded the motion. The motion to deny carried on a recorded voice vote with one commissioner — Rosenberg — noted as opposing the denial.

What it means: Denial of the variance prevents the motel from proceeding with the requested reduced distance to protected uses as proposed. Under local rules, hotels that fall below a certain room threshold and are located within a specified distance of protected uses require a variance; the applicant did not provide supporting hardship evidence during the hearing.

Next steps: As recorded in the meeting, staff had sought a deferral to allow the applicant to supplement the record; with the commission’s denial, the applicant may revise and resubmit or pursue other options consistent with zoning and proximity rules.