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Crowley committee backs Planning Commission to deny conditional use for towing/office proposed in historic district
Summary
After nearly two hours of public testimony, the committee accepted the Planning Commission's unfavorable recommendation and voted 4–1 to deny Brandon Romero's request to relocate an office/vehicle operation into a residential historic district; opponents cited zoning law, traffic and property‑value concerns.
A Crowley committee voted to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation to deny a conditional‑use request from Brandon Romero to locate an office and vehicle parking at 715 East 1st Street, a parcel near the city’s historic district.
Brandon Romero, who said his business has occupied the area for decades, told the committee he planned to remodel the house and use the yard for staff and company vehicles. "No wrecked cars or anything will be stored there," Romero said, asking the council to allow stipulations to control future use.
Multiple neighbors, preservation advocates and residents urged denial. Sharon Core, vice chair of Crowley’s Historic District Commission, said the proposal "does not align with this ordinance, and should not be pursued" and warned that allowing a commercial use would set a damaging precedent for the single‑family residential zone. Other residents raised concerns about noise, truck traffic, blocking a public through street and long‑term effects on property values.
Supporters urged the council to attach conditions rather than deny the request outright; Tony Crater, a speaker in favor, suggested the council could place enforceable restraints on use. Several speakers also pointed to inconsistencies in surrounding parcels but said that legal zoning and the historic district designation should guide the decision.
After public testimony the committee moved to accept the Planning Commission’s unfavorable recommendation. The committee chair called the roll: there were four votes for accepting the denial and one opposed. The committee’s recommendation will go to the full council for a final decision at the next regular council meeting.
Next steps: the recommendation to deny will appear on the City Council agenda next Tuesday for a final vote by the full council. The committee minutes show the recommendation was made after a timed public hearing and deliberation.
