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Decatur council approves multiple zoning and permitting measures, fails to approve gas-station special-use permit after neighbors object
Summary
On Jan. 12 the Decatur City Council approved several ordinances and permits including special-event permitting, detached accessory dwellings, a PD amendment for Vista Park and a petition creating Libertas PID No. 1, but a proposed convenience store with 24/7 pumps failed to gain the supermajority required after residents raised safety and traffic concerns.
Decatur ' The Decatur City Council on Jan. 12 approved a slate of zoning and permitting measures but stopped short of approving a special-use permit for a proposed convenience store with gasoline sales after neighbors raised traffic, safety and outreach concerns and the city attorney confirmed a six-of-seven supermajority was required.
Mayor Mike McQuiston opened the meeting and read a proclamation honoring Industrial Diesel before the council moved through its agenda. On the council docket, members approved a second reading of the city's special-event permitting ordinance; a second-reading ordinance to allow detached accessory dwellings (505 North Lane Street) pending final legal review; a planned-development (PD) amendment for Vista Park to set a straight 5-foot side-yard setback (PD25004); and a resolution to accept a petition to create Libertas Public Improvement District No. 1.
The council also approved a specific-use permit tied to beer and wine off-premises sales (SUP 25-0007) on second reading, voting 6-1 to pass that item.
Neighbors opposed proposed convenience store and gas sales Residents who live near the proposed site across from the Fairgrounds urged the council to reject a convenience store and gasoline sales proposed for a site on John Street. "It's not an enhancement to our neighborhood," said Glenn Spine, who gave his address as 2807 Lipsey, and asked council to "consider those things whenever you take a vote tonight" and to oppose allowing the use. Ivan Osonio, who said his driveway is at 2809 South Lipsey and is about 50 feet from the proposed property line, warned the council that added daily traffic and overflow parking could impede his entrance.
The applicant's engineer, Pravin Casey, told the council that access approvals with TxDOT had been completed after a plat expiration required re-submittal and that the team had added mitigation measures following neighbor comments, including a rear buffer and fencing, a photometric lighting plan that would comply with the city's light-spill limits and design changes to limit overflow parking. "Anything technically possible, I'm always here to work with you all," Casey said.
Supermajority requirement led to failed SUP Councilmember (speaker 10) moved to approve SUP 25-006 pending legal clarification, and a vote was taken that produced opposition. City counsel then advised the council that, because the application drew more than 20% opposition, the ordinance required a supermajority to pass. "In this context, you have to have six of seven," counsel stated. After a short recess and legal review, counsel confirmed that the item did not meet the legal standard and therefore did not pass.
Votes and next steps - Ordinance (special-event permitting) (second reading) ' approved. - Ordinance (detached accessory dwellings) / SUP 25-005 ' approved pending final legal review. - SUP 25-006 (convenience store with gas sales) ' failed to meet supermajority requirement (did not pass). - SUP 25-0007 (beer and wine off-premises sales) ' approved (6-1). - PD25004 / ordinance 2026-0615 (Vista Park setback amendment) ' approved. - Resolution R2026-0101 (Libertas PID No. 1 petition) ' approved.
The council also pulled a consent-agenda billing item for clarification (see separate coverage) and approved the remainder of the consent agenda. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
