Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves zoning change for roughly 69‑acre northwest development after public safety and notice concerns
Summary
Council approved ZN8855, a request to rezone about 69 acres in the northwest for RS‑6 single‑family development (roughly 220–226 homes). Residents raised safety and notice problems tied to Amanda Lane access, stormwater and drought concerns; staff said the project met planning recommendations and the platting and access will be reviewed later.
Council voted to approve zoning case ZN8855, a rezoning request (presented by Assistant Director Andrew Demas) for roughly 69 acres in the city’s northwest area from FR/Rural to RS‑6 (Single Family, 6,000‑square‑foot lot standard) to permit a phased residential development of approximately 220–226 homes.
Demas told council that planning and staff found the zoning consistent with the comprehensive and area development plans and that planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval. He said 25 public notices were mailed under the state’s 200‑foot buffer requirement and that staff received no formal letters in favor or opposition in advance.
Several residents spoke during the public hearing and urged caution about proposed access points and infrastructure. BJ Johnston (Amanda Lane) delivered a petition opposing use of Amanda Lane as an access point for later phases, citing safety, lack of sidewalks and substandard road conditions; she said Amanda Lane is a county street and not suited to heavy new traffic. Jared Bolliger (Lake Athens) asked the council to factor drought and strained water supplies into decisions to add 224 homes in an already stressed area. Council members repeatedly returned to the question of public notice: some residents who felt impacted reported they did not receive mailed notices even though staff said notices were mailed to addresses in the statutory ring and an 8‑square‑foot sign is posted on the property.
Staff replied that the rezoning establishes a land‑use decision and that platting (detailed subdivision layout, points of access, stormwater analysis) will return to council after planning commission review; the master preliminary plat is already under internal review and staff said they are coordinating with Nueces County on access and drainage matters. Council members pressed for multiple points of access to meet International Fire Code requirements for a subdivision of this size; staff said phase‑based connections (Northwest Boulevard in phase 1; Lake Athens in phase 2) are planned.
Following public comment and deliberation, council voted to carry the zoning change as recommended by staff and the planning commission.
