The Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission denied Zoning Case Z 2025-01, a request to rezone about 2 acres on the 66100 block of Buffalo Gap Road from General Retail to General Commercial. The proposal was submitted by Z and Co., LLC (Pac Harris Enterprises).

Adam Holland, a planner for the City of Abilene, said the property is vacant and is adjacent to Taco Casa and a Dollar General. Staff found the request consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended approval. Holland said the applicant indicated the intended use was an automotive repair use, which staff believed would serve smaller automobiles and trucks but that all details were not specified in the application.

Several nearby residents spoke in opposition. David Sibley, who lives at 4064 Bay Hill, said some allowed uses in General Commercial were not appropriate next to a primarily retail area and a nearby residential neighborhood. "Some of the uses for General Commercial are sort of out of line with General Retail," Sibley said, urging the commission to keep consistency with adjacent uses.

Kent Musso, a resident at 6802 Hillside Court located directly behind the site, said he worried about noise, light and potential excavation or grading impacts if heavier commercial uses locate there. Musso said Monday truck traffic and early-morning dump trucks are already a nuisance and that allowing heavier uses could increase negative impacts.

Commissioners discussed whether the proposed use would be a minor or major automotive repair and noted uncertainty in the application about the specific business. One commissioner described the request as appearing like spot zoning and expressed concern about approving broad additional uses without more specificity.

After debate, a motion to deny the rezoning carried with recorded yes votes by Commissioners Barnett, House, Halliburton, Lewis and Benham. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the item may be appealed or taken to the City Council for further hearings.