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El Paso Zoning Board approves three setback exceptions, postpones carport case for design revisions and interpreter support
Summary
The El Paso City Zoning Board of Adjustment on Dec. 8 approved three special-exception requests with staff conditions and postponed a carport case at 11837 Chalita to Jan. 26 so the applicant can return with clearer design materials and staff-assisted translation.
The El Paso City Zoning Board of Adjustment approved three special-exception requests and postponed a fourth after discussion about materials and language access at its Dec. 8 meeting.
In item 3 (11749 Riverstone Drive), Saul Pena of Planning and Inspections described an application to legalize multiple encroachments, including "a 448 square foot enclosed addition" that the presentation said encroached "323 square feet into the required 19 foot rear yard setback and 125 square feet into the 5 foot side yard setback." Staff recommended, and the board approved, conditions requiring removal or modification of several accessory structures to bring the property into compliance. Applicant Susan Hernandez told the board she agreed with staff's recommendations.
The board also approved a request for 3614 Douglas Avenue (item 5) to legalize an existing single-family dwelling and ADU and two storage structures that, staff said, have existed in their current configuration since at least 2002. The applicant's representative said additional parking would be provided if required; the board approved staff's recommendation.
In item 6 (5716 Decatur), staff recommended approval of a carport encroaching into the front setback, subject to removing an accessory structure over an easement. The applicant's representative, Vanessa Duran, said the columns would be finished with 50% brick and the roof and paint would match the home; the board approved the request with conditions.
The most contested item was 11837 Chalita (item 4), a dual request to legalize a carport/front encroachment and a long-standing rear encroachment. Staff recommended approval with conditions that the carport material and pitch be in keeping with the main house. Board members and neighbors disagreed about how prescriptive the board could be about materials; several members proposed requiring that at least 50% of steel posts be covered to match the home's brick or finish. The applicant and several neighbors spoke through a translator, and multiple board members raised concerns about fairness and comprehension for Spanish-only applicants. Assistant City Attorney Russell Abel said it "would be recommended to have an official interpreter" when needed. After discussing options, the board voted to postpone the item to the next meeting (Jan. 26) so the applicant could return with clearer material samples and staff-mediated translation.
Administrative actions included a motion to delete agenda item PZBA250037 (6530 Mohawk) and the board's annual election of officers: the board approved appointing Justin Bass as chair and reappointing Martha Aguayo as vice chair.
The board met a quorum, approved minutes from the Nov. 10 meeting, and adjourned at 2:56 p.m. The board's actions were taken by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous "Aye" responses for the motions described but does not list roll-call tallies.
What happens next: the Chalita carport item was postponed to the Jan. 26 meeting. Applicants approved with conditions must return with the changes required for permit review or proceed with permitted construction.
