Planning commission recommends rezoning at 5707 NW 42nd St for proposed event center

An unnamed member of the Warr Acres Planning Commission moved on the floor to recommend approval of a rezoning application for 5707 Northwest 42nd Street, and the commission voted to send that recommendation to the City Council.

In a staff report, an unnamed planning official said the property is currently zoned R‑1 (single‑family residential) and that surrounding properties are also R‑1, though higher‑intensity uses such as Victory Church are adjacent to the site. Staff said the applicant initially applied for C‑4 but planners asked them to reapply for C‑3 because C‑4 permits a broader set of heavier commercial uses – for example, drive‑through fast‑food restaurants – that staff judged inappropriate for this parcel. “We requested that to come back as C‑3. It’s more compatible with the uses in the area,” planning staff said.

George Marquez of Civil and Environmental Consultants, who said he was representing the applicant identified in the record as "Joe's in Santos Villatora," described the proposal as an event center available for weekend and weekday rentals. “The intent is to open an event center and... it’s gonna be open to, you know, it can be some parties... but also during the weekday,” Marquez said. He added that hours would follow whatever the municipal code allows and that some events could run as late as 1:00 a.m., though later hours would likely be limited to weekend events.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioners recorded roll‑call votes in favor of recommending the rezoning; staff reminded the applicant that the City Council is the final decision‑maker and meets next Tuesday at 6:00 PM in the same room.

If the council approves the rezoning, the applicant will be responsible for obtaining any required building permits and a business license before operating the event center. The commission’s action was a recommendation only; the final approval rests with the City Council.