Midland planning commission approves zone change, alcohol permit and preliminary plat

MIDLAND, Texas — The City of Midland Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 3 to approve three land-use items: a zone change for a 15.44-acre tract to allow light industrial development, a specific-use designation permitting on-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages for part of a restaurant, and a preliminary plat to replat 10.30 acres into two commercial lots.

Staff presented each request and recommended approval in every case; no members of the public spoke for or against any of the items during the public-hearing portions. All three votes passed 7-0.

The most substantive item was a request by Maverick Engineering on behalf of E Holdings LLC to rezone a 15.44-acre parcel from RR (Regional Retail) to LI (Light Industrial). Planning staff said the site is generally located on the north side of State Highway 191, about 220 feet west of Hall Ridge Road in District 4, is currently vacant, and that surrounding uses include industrial warehouses and a storage facility. Staff recommended approval; the commission approved the zone change 7-0.

The commission next approved a specific-use designation request submitted by San Miguel Midland Partners for a 4,523-square-foot portion of a restaurant at 3303 North Midland Road to allow on-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages. Planning Division Manager Leonard Ochoa explained the designation confines alcohol service to a defined area shown on the floor plan (referred to in the staff packet as Exhibit A), and noted the proposed hours of operation and alcohol service are Wednesday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Staff reported no schools or hospitals within 300 feet and recommended approval subject to standard conditions (fire and occupancy compliance, hours, and maintaining the service area as shown). The commission approved the specific-use designation 7-0.

The final item approved was a preliminary plat filed by Maverick Engineering on behalf of JDCOM Midland Texas Realty Fairgrounds LLC to replat 10.30 acres into two lots for future commercial development (East Midland Addition Section 26). Staff said the property is zoned C (Commercial District), is compatible with the Tall City Tomorrow future land-use plan (designated general industrial for the area), and recommended approval subject to two standard conditions. The commission approved the preliminary plat 7-0.

Procedural votes earlier in the meeting moved the minutes (agenda item 2) to the consent agenda and then approved them; both motions passed without opposition. Commissioners also discussed plans to present a simple bylaw at the next meeting to set an annual process for selecting a chair and vice chair; staff said the proposed bylaw would be distributed with the next agenda and that advisory boards typically set those positions on an annual basis.

Votes at a glance

- Item 2 (minutes): motion to move to consent (mover: Commissioner Sparks; second: Commissioner Behar/Behill); motion passed 7-0. Motion to approve consent item including item 2 (mover: Commissioner Sparks; second: Commissioner Martin); passed 7-0.

- Item 3 (zone change RR → LI, 15.44 acres): motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Cahill; second: Commissioner Sparks); passed 7-0.

- Item 4 (specific-use designation for on-premises alcohol at 3303 North Midland Road; 4,523 sq ft service area; hours Wed–Sun 2 p.m.–2 a.m.): motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Behill; second: Commissioner O'Fiel); passed 7-0.

- Item 5 (preliminary plat — East Midland Addition Section 26; replat 10.30 acres into two lots): motion to approve (mover: Commissioner Sparks; second: Commissioner Bahil/Behill); passed 7-0.

What the commission said and next steps

Staff said no public objections were received on the zone change and that the proposed industrial zoning is compatible with the future land-use designation for the area. For the alcohol request, staff described the limited service area that would be allowed inside the restaurant and listed the standard conditions that would apply if the commission approved the specific-use designation; the applicant was not present. For the preliminary plat, staff said the replat supports commercial development consistent with surrounding zoning.

Commissioners directed staff to draft a simple bylaw to establish a procedure for electing a chair and vice chair (proposed annual cadence); staff said the bylaws would be circulated with the next agenda for commission consideration. The approved land-use items now proceed according to applicable city procedures (e.g., filing and plat-recordation steps and any required building or alcohol-permit processes).