Planning commission approves series of rezones, allows triplex with full parking waiver

The El Paso City Planning Commission approved a slate of rezoning requests and a controversial special-permit application during its meeting, including a recommendation that would allow a triplex at 903 Park Street to proceed without required on-site parking.

The triplex request at 903 Park Street (item 12) drew the most debate. Planning staff said the detailed site plan meets applicable code sections for infill development and noted a submitted parking study that identified on-street parking supply within 300 feet. The applicant requested a 75% parking reduction; the commission voted to recommend a 100% reduction (no required parking) for council consideration. Commissioner discussion focused on neighborhood context, unit sizes and whether tenants in sub-800-square-foot units would be likely to rely on nearby on-street parking. Vanessa Duran, representing the owner, said the applicant was willing to modify unit sizes and noted flexibility during permitting: "If for any reasons when we are in the process of the construction plans permit, if they allow us, we can go ahead and fit 3."

Staff presentations accompanied each rezoning case. Jose Beltran of Planning and Inspections presented two adjacent rezoning requests on or near Pelway and North Loop (items 9 and 10). For the northwest of Zaragoza/North Loop parcel (item 9), staff recommended approval of C-1/C-2 zoning for a conceptual plan that included self-storage and retail, with conditions requiring bridge improvements over the Juan De Herrera…