Planning commission approves rezoning and conditional use permit for large RV/cottage community near Elmdale Road

The Abilene Planning and Zoning Commission on an evening vote approved a rezoning and a conditional use permit that clear the way for a large developer-built RV/cottage community at 1202 Elmdale Road.

Planner Clarissa Ivy told the commission staff recommends approval of Z202544, which would change roughly 109.8 acres from light industrial to general commercial to accommodate the project. Developer Greg Gashasam and his representatives described the concept as a community of permanent, RVIA‑certified cottages intended primarily for contractors and leadership supporting the nearby Vantage Data Centers campus. Greg said the developer plans on-site staffing and private security and that units would be installed and removed by the developer rather than left as permanent conventional housing.

Neighbors urged caution. Alicia Moore, who lives at 1149 Elmdale Road, said she is concerned about heavier traffic on Bridal/Elmdale Road, the safety of children, enforcement of quiet hours if on-site management is vacant, and the potential for home‑value loss. Mark Coleman, president of Rentec Boiler Systems, asked that runoff and buffering be resolved so operations at his nearby 24‑hour industrial site are not disrupted. Jan Price and other nearby homeowners asked for berms, fences and smaller unit counts; one resident suggested a cap near 500 units rather than the approximately 1,000 residents referenced in meeting materials.

The developer responded that the project is aimed at semi‑permanent housing for workers and leadership tied to the data center, not a transient RV park. Greg said the company anticipates a minimum five‑year ground lease with three five‑year extensions (up to 20 years total) with unit leases to individuals largely on a rolling 30‑day basis. He also said the project would include a 100‑ to 250‑foot buffer in places, a retention pond and a sewer connection to the City of Abilene; the developer proposed a gated main entrance, license‑plate readers, private security and off‑duty sheriff officers for nighttime coverage.

Commissioners repeatedly noted the tradeoffs: general commercial zoning is more compatible with single‑family homes than light industrial, but the operational details and the potential for multi‑year extensions raised concern. Commissioners said they would include the plan of operation and concept plan in any approval to preserve enforceable conditions. A motion to approve the rezoning and a second motion to approve the conditional use permit, both made during the meeting and subject to the applicant’s plan of operation and concept plan, carried.

The commission’s recommendation now moves to Abilene City Council for final readings and a decision; neighbors were told they could raise concerns at council hearings.

The commission recorded no immediate appellate action; the rezoning and CUP will both be publicly noticed and routed to the city council with the plan documents attached.