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Planning commission approves Francisco Torres subdivision with sidewalk exemption
Summary
The El Paso Planning Commission approved a two-lot subdivision of 5.66 acres and granted an exception to omit a required 5-foot sidewalk along Strawberry Lane, voting 5–1. Staff said the proposal meets right-of-way standards and recommended approval.
The El Paso Planning Commission voted 5–1 to approve the Francisco Torres subdivision on a major combination basis and to grant an exception to the El Paso City code that would waive construction of a 5-foot sidewalk along Strawberry Lane.
Saul Fuentes, a planner with the city’s Planning and Inspections department, told the commission the applicant proposes subdividing 5.66 acres into two lots (about 2.66 and 3 acres). He said the proposal meets the 48-foot cross-section right-of-way requirement, that drainage will be handled by on-site ponding and that access will be limited to Strawberry Lane because an existing lateral and a restricted-access note on the plat preclude access from Westside Drive. “Staff recommends approval of Francisco Torres Subdivision on a major combination basis and recommends approval of the exception being requested from the CPC,” Fuentes said.
Commissioners questioned why the sidewalk was missing; Fuentes said the minimum cross-section requires five feet of sidewalk but that the surrounding area currently has no sidewalks, and the proposed plat includes a recorded restricted-access note preventing access from Westside Drive. Commissioner Masood characterized the request as “very common sense” and said the two‑lot subdivision made a sidewalk connection economically impractical.
The motion to approve, carried by a 5–1 margin. The transcript records a roll call indicating five ayes and one nay; it shows the vote resulting in motion carries. A commissioner later asked to reconsider after an applicant on the phone indicated connectivity issues, but the chair declined to reopen the item.
Staff and commissioners noted that any future change to allow access to Westside Drive would require coordination with the water improvement district and an amendment to the plat.
The commission’s action was limited to the subdivision and the requested exception; the item will be forwarded as a recommendation to city council per the usual process.
