Mission council denies two rezoning requests near Sherry Road after residents cite school‑safety concerns

The Mission City Council on Feb. 24 voted unanimously to deny two adjacent rezoning applications that would have converted residential properties near Scout Lane and Sherry Road into higher‑intensity commercial zoning.

Planning staff explained the applications sought C2 (neighborhood commercial) zoning for two adjacent tracts; staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended a compromise to C1, a less‑intensive commercial designation. Residents who live near the affected area argued neither C1 nor C2 was appropriate and that the comprehensive plan calls for low‑density residential use in that sector.

Multiple neighbors and local developers spoke in opposition. Paul Manfred, who lives on Scout Lane, urged councilmembers to visit during school pickup and said the proposal was “a terrible idea,” citing heavy morning and afternoon traffic and the risk to children crossing the street. Dolly Elizondo, a business owner and developer, cited counts taken via public records requests showing roughly 150 cars during pickup and more than 300 students on site, and warned that commercial use could exacerbate dangerous parking and drop‑off behaviors.

Planning staff noted the presence of petitions opposing the rezoning that met the city’s petition thresholds (26% within 200 feet), which triggered a supermajority requirement for approval. After discussion, the council voted to deny the first rezoning (Track 1) and then denied the second, nearby tract; the actions were recorded as denials on the public record and the motions passed with the council’s unanimous support.

The council did not adopt any interim traffic mitigation measures at the meeting. Staff indicated the area along Sherry Road is transitioning to lower‑intensity commercial uses in some locations, but in these two cases neighbors and petition signatures led the council to deny rezoning.