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Preliminary plat for Viano Estacado Section 4 advances despite neighbors’ objections
Summary
The commission approved a preliminary plat to divide a one-acre property at 6500 Gladiola Avenue into two lots for single-family homes, but neighbors raised questions about recorded plats, tax status and easements; the vote was 4–1 with two members not voting.
The Midland Planning and Zoning Commission approved a preliminary plat on Dec. 15 to divide property at 6500 Gladiola Avenue (Viano Estacado Section 4) into two single-family lots, after a public hearing in which neighbors raised multiple procedural and title concerns.
Staff senior planner Bridal Murray presented the application submitted by Maverick Engineering on behalf of Brandon McMorris and Adrian Hernandez. Murray said the property is currently zoned Country Estate, the proposed lots will be 0.5 acres minimum under a special exception previously approved by City Council on Nov. 18, 2025, and staff recommended approval with standard conditions. Murray told commissioners that staff checked for potentially sensitive uses within 300 feet and reported six objections on the case file.
Neighbors questioned whether the original 1965 plat for Llano Estacado had actually been recorded, whether ownership records on county systems were updated, and whether owed taxes would be cleared before any final plat. Nolan Bridal told the commission he believed the owner on record had not paid back taxes and asked if the owner must hold title to request the plat; staff replied that final-plat review will require title opinion and tax certificates. Douglas Ehler, who lives next door, said residents opposed more houses “squeezed in” to the block and urged the commission to consider neighborhood character. Jody Bradshaw supplied documentary materials and told the panel she believed the submitted legal description was incorrect and that an outstanding tax balance (she stated "$13,000") remained on county records.
Staff explained that the preliminary plat process does not finalize title or tax clearance — those items are checked at final plat, when tax certificates and a title opinion must be provided. Commissioners debated whether to defer the preliminary plat to allow the petitioners more time to reconcile the documentary issues; one commissioner said that because a special exception already exists, the commission’s options were limited and that final plat review would address outstanding documents. Commissioner Hunter moved to approve the preliminary plat as a preliminary action; the motion passed with a 4–1 vote (two commissioners did not register a vote in the recorded tally).
The approval moves the proposal to its final-plat stage, where the city will require a title opinion, tax certificates, and other documentation before the subdivision can be recorded.
