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Council approves reduced landscaping buffer for Days Inn redevelopment with masonry fencing requirement
Summary
A variance allowing reduced vegetation buffers for a Days Inn/Casa Medina redevelopment was approved conditionally: planning staff secured P&Z support and the council required an 8‑foot masonry fence and adequate landscaping to protect adjacent residential properties.
The Shenandoah City Council on Feb. 25 approved a variance to reduce required vegetative buffers along Interstate‑45 and adjacent residential property for a redevelopment proposal at the Days Inn/Casa Medina site.
Planning staff (Jackie) explained the proposal would redevelop the site as two single‑story commercial buildings and increase parking, and that the property owner requested a 5‑foot buffer along I‑45 (down from 25 feet) and a 20‑foot buffer along the residential property (down from 35 feet). The planning and zoning commission recommended approval with conditions, chiefly the construction of an 8‑foot solid masonry fence and appropriate landscaping to shield neighboring homes.
When asked if the masonry wall was intended as a sound wall, planning staff said the wall was for visibility screening and landscaping would provide additional mitigation; a prior sound study had not recommended a dedicated sound wall. Staff also described outreach to property owners within 200 feet and said concerns about drainage were addressed in coordination with the storm‑sewer redesign. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Council members expressed support but asked staff to ensure that lighting, dumpster pickups and fence design were adequately addressed through existing landscape and development codes — staff said those matters are enforced through other city ordinances and the integrated development code.
Council approved the ordinance granting the variance by voice vote; staff said demolition and construction could begin later in the year if design holds to the timeline presented.
