San Angelo planning commission approves multiple plats, variances and rezonings

The San Angelo Planning Commission approved a slate of plats and zone changes Wednesday, voting by voice to approve final plats in several neighborhoods, grant select variances and clear a path for multiple rezoning requests aimed at increasing housing options.

The commission approved FP25-25 (Bridal Subdivision Section 1), a final plat creating two lots over seven acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Senior planner Austin Reed told commissioners the site fronts on Spillway Road — classified in the master thoroughfare plan as a major collector — and staff had recommended both a paving variance and denial of a requested right-of-way dedication. Russell of SKG, representing the applicant, said the master thoroughfare alignment appears unlikely to be built and offered to dedicate three feet if necessary. After discussion, the commission moved to approve the plat and to waive the staff conditions requiring an eight-foot widening, the three-foot dedication and sidewalk construction; the motion asked the applicant to pursue a formal sidewalk waiver with staff.

The commission also approved FP25-26 (Southland Hills, ~25 lots over 6.1 acres), agreeing to a 35-foot right-of-way dedication while approving the applicant’s request to maintain the existing paving widths on College Hills pending a city variance. For RP25-39 (Bell’s Addition third replat) the commission approved the replat and allowed a deferral agreement permitting curb-and-gutter to be installed later as home construction occurs. RP20 (Old Cristobal Road replat) — a split of roughly 5.7 acres in heavy commercial zoning — was approved with the commission removing the sidewalk requirement because the frontage is on a TxDOT-owned corridor and staff and commissioners preferred resolving sidewalk needs with TxDOT or in future design work.

On rezoning items, the planning commission recommended approval for several zoning changes that staff said respond to identified housing needs: Z25-25 (Northwest Drive and Arden Road) from CH to RM-1 (low-rise multifamily); Z25-26 (2719 Waco Street) from RS-1 to RS-2 to allow an accessory dwelling unit; Z25-27 (East Avenue K and Dugan Street) from CGCH to RM-1; and Z25-28 (multiple Waco Street parcels) from RS-1 to neighborhood commercial (CN). Staff repeatedly cited the recent Restel housing study and the city’s infill designation as context for supporting multifamily and infill-friendly zoning.

Commissioners conducted all votes by voice; the transcript records “all in favor, say aye” and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes. Several approvals included direction to staff to work with applicants on formal waiver or variance paperwork and to ensure required utility, drainage and water/wastewater conditions are satisfied prior to plat recordation.

Russell Gulley of SKG, representing multiple applicants, spoke several times in support of plats and variances and asked for standard deferral agreements in cases where curb-and-gutter or other infrastructure could be installed during later phases of construction.

What happens next: Approved plats and rezonings will proceed to the steps required by the city for recordation, permitting and any required council action; staff will process waivers, variance paperwork and engineering conditions with applicants.

Quotes from the meeting: "We will dedicate the 3 feet if necessary, but we just feel like it's not necessary then," Russell (SKG) said during public comment on FP25-25.

"The ordinance doesn't allow y'all to, at this stage, to take away the sidewalk, but we would certainly entertain a waiver from the applicant," a staff member said when discussing sidewalk requirements.

Ending: The commission closed the cases and moved to the planning director report and other business.