Neighborhood opposition defeats rezoning request for 9901 Upland after council debate

Lubbock City Council on March 24 refused to approve a request to rezone 9901 Upland from office to neighborhood commercial after lengthy public comment and council discussion.

Director of Planning Kristin Sager summarized zone case 3016‑g and said staff recommended approval, while the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial. Sager reported the city sent 66 notifications and received 62 oppositions (46 from outside the 400‑foot notification boundary). The item drew multiple public speakers and neighborhood petitions.

Developer representatives told council they would design on‑site truck routing so deliveries could enter and exit directly from 98th Street. Bryson Muirhead, representing the developer, said a truck turn lane would be designed to be contained within the property. Neighbors disagreed: Dennis Humble, Becca Sanchez, Mandy Madden and Deborah Hart said the lot is too narrow for retail use, warned about semi‑truck deliveries and overnight parking, and argued the change would harm the neighborhood’s residential character and property values. Sanchez said a developer letter explicitly named an intent to develop a Dollar General on the site, which neighbors said contradicts repeated developer statements that no specific tenant is planned.

Council members who opposed the rezoning cited the parcel’s shallow depth, the large drainage easement that constrains access, and strong neighborhood opposition. Mayor Pro Tem and several council members said they supported leaving the land designated as garden office/office; one council member voiced support for the rezoning but was the lone aye. The motion to approve the rezoning failed (vote 1–6).

Next steps: The parcel remains zoned office; the developer may revise proposals or seek a different site.