Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Short Term Rentals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends two rental permits for Perry and Williams streets
Summary
The Waxahachie Planning & Zoning Commission on July 15 recommended approval of specific-use permits for rental uses at 710 Perry Avenue and 821 Williams Street, saying applicants will follow staff conditions and registration requirements; nearby residents raised parking and notice concerns.
The Waxahachie Planning & Zoning Commission voted July 15 to recommend approval of two specific‑use permits that would allow rental use at 710 Perry Avenue and 821 Williams Street, subject to the conditions listed in staff reports and authorization for city officials to execute associated documents.
Staff told the commission the application for 710 Perry Avenue (ZDC‑71‑2025) covers a 0.086‑acre lot with a 2,377‑square‑foot house containing three bedrooms. According to staff, an online listing for the property had been posted and later changed to show long‑term availability; staff said that advertising stray prior to SUP approval is prohibited. The applicant, Christopher Chiles, told the commission his property will be offered only for stays longer than 30 days: "We aren't accepting anything short shorter than a 31 or 30 plus day stay." A neighbor, Kendra Norwood (706 & 708 Perry), said she was worried about parking on her narrow block and the block being in transition as sidewalks and streetlights are installed.
At 821 Williams Street (ZDC‑83‑2025), staff said the 0.306‑acre property had not been operated as a short‑term rental, that county records do not list it as a homestead, and that police records showed one disturbance nearby. Owner representative Kevin Smolka told the commission the property had been used as a long‑term rental and that house rules and local emergency contact information are included in the application packet.
Motion and vote: Commissioners moved and seconded each recommendation and approved both SUPs by voice vote. Staff reports were adopted as conditions, and the mayor and city manager were authorized to sign the related documents.
Why it matters: The votes allow property owners to use the houses under the city's permitting framework while obligating them to follow registration, house‑rule and emergency‑contact requirements. Nearby residents used the public‑hearing period to press staff on notification practices and parking adequacy, concerns the commission heard but did not condition beyond the standard staff requirements.
Next steps: The recommendations go with staff conditions to the city council for final action.
