Commission approves rezoning in Deer Park area to allow Single Family 2 flexibility

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a rezoning request from CAPS Properties Limited on Jan. 14 to change portions of a roughly 34.3‑acre tract in the Deer Park area of Mount Pleasant from Future Development (FD) to zoning that includes Single Family 2 designations, allowing developers more flexibility in lot dimensions.

Planning Director (staff) told the commission the applicant sought SF‑2 zoning mainly because of drainage and lot‑configuration constraints that make strict SF‑1 minimums impractical. “They wanted some flexibility so that they could keep, and have the opportunity to drop perhaps some of the dimensions,” the Planning Director said, explaining that the proposal would permit smaller lot footprints than the SF‑1 quarter‑acre standard while still meeting minimum requirements.

The move matters because Single Family 1 districts in Mount Pleasant carry a typical minimum lot area near 10,000 square feet, while Single Family 2 has a 7,000‑square‑foot minimum. Staff also noted house‑size minimums cited during the presentation (referred to in the staff remarks as 12,000 square feet in SF‑1 and 8,000 square feet in SF‑2); the transcript wording on the SF‑2 house‑size figure was unclear, and final development standards will be confirmed in platting and by City Council action.

Chair raised a procedural and policy concern about leaving flexibility that later could be exercised by a different owner: “Who’s going to decide that drainage issue?” the Chair asked, pressing staff on whether smaller lots could be permitted later. The Planning Director replied that zoning sets minimums but that the preliminary and final plat processes — including civil construction plans, easement and utility placement, and any required approvals from providers — govern the actual layout and that a final plat must be consistent with the preliminary plat or be resubmitted for approval.

Commissioners then moved to approve the rezoning recommendation. The Chair announced the motion carried unanimously; the Planning Director noted that amendments to the Future Land Use map and final action will be processed at City Council.

The next steps are standard: the zoning and any required future‑land‑use map amendments will go to Mount Pleasant City Council, civil plans and TxDOT approvals (where applicable) must be obtained before final plat and before building permits are issued.