The City of Laredo Planning Commission moved through a slate of land‑use actions Thursday, approving staff recommendations on multiple map amendments and agreeing to an ownership‑name amendment for an existing conditional use permit while taking public testimony about longstanding operations and neighborhood complaints.

Among the items the commission advanced: a request to rezone an approximately 8.6‑acre tract north of 10th Street and west of Riverside Drive (owner: Armand Javier Juarez; applicant: Francisco Ramos) from AG to M‑1 to permit trailer parking and storage — staff supported the change and the commission voted to accept that recommendation. The commission also supported rezoning Lot 1, Block 1 (Fire Station No. 11 at 11015 McPherson Road), from AG to M‑1 to allow truck and heavy‑equipment/recreational vehicle repair and service; staff said city engineering is coordinating final plans for the facility’s service annex.

Another petition to rezone about 3.7 acres (north of Seliturindo Boulevard and west of Ajiido Avenue) from B‑1 and R‑1A to B‑3 for restaurant/drive‑thru use (applicant: Selena’s Village Development Corporation; representative: Wayne Nance of Fortis Engineering) drew only brief discussion about a small R‑1A sliver remaining from an older master plan; staff supported the request and the commission approved the staff recommendation.

On ordinance and CUP business, the commission considered an amendment to Ordinance 2015‑0039 to change the parties named on an existing conditional use permit for a kiosk food stand and meat market at 202 W. San Carlos Street (Lot 12, Block 446, Eastern Division). Staff presented the amendment to reflect new named permittees (Sergio Priones and Ysenia Priones) and noted two recent letters objecting to environmental issues: multiple 311 reports alleging trash overflow, sewage incidents, odor, and parking limitations. Applicant Sergio Rodriguez told the commission inspectors had visited, a leak was found and fixed, and the odor was caused by a deceased animal in a narrow corridor; he said the meat market has operated for years and he seeks only to update the CUP ownership for the components that require CUP authorization.

Commission discussion focused on whether the grocery store itself is included in the CUP amendment and on legal questions about nonconforming (grandfathered) uses. Staff explained that the caption to this amendment covers the kiosk and meat market components (which staff recommends keeping under the CUP) and that grocery‑store uses and nonconforming rights — which hinge on use rather than ownership — may not transfer automatically to a new owner; staff recommended proceeding with the name change for CUP components that clearly require CUP protection and resolving nonconforming questions separately if needed.

After public input and staff clarification, the commission voted to close the public hearing and follow staff recommendations on the CUP amendment (to change named permittees for the kiosk and meat market components); commissioners then approved the plats and replats presented and adjourned the meeting.

What happens next: The rezoning recommendations and CUP amendment will be processed per the city’s normal procedure (applicants may need additional permits, conditions, or council action depending on the item).