Granbury council approves rezoning for 105 S. Hawthorne over neighborhood objections

The Granbury City Council voted 5–1 on March 3 to approve a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone a 0.255‑acre parcel at 105 South Hawthorne from R‑10 (residential) to light commercial, reversing the Planning and Zoning Commission’s earlier recommendation to deny the change.

City staff, led by interim community development director Cody Nolan, told the council the narrow lot (about 67 feet deep by 141 feet long) is difficult to develop as a residence without variances and that rezoning would allow the parcel to be combined with the commercial property immediately to the north at 1031 West Pearl. Nolan said the change would expand retail/office frontage consistent with nearby uses and does not require new infrastructure connections.

At the public hearing, Nikki Sopcak, a South Hawthorne property owner, urged the council to follow the Planning & Zoning Commission’s unanimous denial and keep the parcel residential. “My mother enjoys the tranquility of being in a residential neighborhood,” Sopcak said, arguing that several nearby commercial properties are vacant and that a new commercial use could bring parking and safety concerns. Owner Paula Sherman told the council she wants matching zoning only so the bank will allow the lots to be platted together; she said she has no immediate plans to alter the property and does not intend to turn it into a parking lot.

Councilmember Allen moved to approve the comprehensive plan amendment and the accompanying zoning change. The motion passed on a council voice vote recorded in the meeting transcript as 5–1. Council discussion referenced the lot’s restrictive setbacks, the ZBA variance process for hypothetical residential development, and competing community priorities of preserving neighborhood character versus resolving a difficult-to-develop parcel.

The council’s action permits the owner to proceed with platting under matching zoning; Nolan noted that any future construction that does not conform to current setback rules would require Zoning Board of Adjustment review. The council did not set a subsequent public‑hearing or effective‑date schedule during the discussion recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: The vote overturns the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation and shifts long‑term development options for a small block of South Hawthorne, drawing a split between residents concerned about neighborhood character and property owners seeking flexibility for future transactions.

What’s next: The council approved the plan amendment and zoning change; paths for any future building, parking changes or variances remain subject to separate permitting or ZBA review.