Planning commission approves two‑lot Francisco Torres subdivision, grants 5‑foot sidewalk exception
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Summary
The El Paso City Planning Commission approved a major combination application to divide 5.66 acres into two lots and granted a requested exception to omit a 5‑foot sidewalk along Strawberry Lane; commissioners cited right‑of‑way compliance and limited future access as factors.
Saul Fuentes, a planner with Planning and Inspections, told the El Paso City Planning Commission that the Francisco Torres subdivision application proposes to divide 5.66 acres in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction into two lots of about 2.666 acres and 3 acres and complies with the required 48‑foot cross‑section except for a missing 5‑foot sidewalk along Strawberry Lane. Staff recommended approval of the major combination application and the exception under Title 19 of the El Paso City code.
Commissioners questioned the cross‑section and access. Fuentes confirmed the development provides a 60‑foot right‑of‑way overall but lacks the five feet of sidewalk that the transportation plan requires for that cross‑section. He said access to the subdivision will be restricted to Strawberry Lane because a lateral abutting the property prevents a connection to Westside Drive; any future access change would require coordination with the water improvement district and a plat amendment.
Commissioner Masood characterized the request as routine; other commissioners noted the area currently lacks sidewalks and that the lateral effectively prohibits a Westside Drive entrance without later easements or amendments. The commission proceeded despite the applicant’s representative initially not being connected to the virtual meeting; staff indicated the representative later joined but the commission declined to reconsider after approval.
A motion to approve the subdivision with the sidewalk exception passed on a roll call: Badillo (aye), Masood (aye), Warrego (nay), Hanson (aye), Reyes (aye) and Dobrowolski (aye). The chair announced the motion carried, 5–1. The commission’s approval will be forwarded as a recommendation to city council per usual procedure.
The commission’s action addressed platting and zoning conditions only; any future requests to amend access notes on the plat, change easements or add sidewalks would require separate review and approvals.