Planning commission recommends rezoning of two West Cameron lots to allow house under home program

The Rockdale Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council rezone two adjacent lots at 629 and 633 West Cameron from C2 (commercial) to R1C (residential 1 commercial) so a house can be built under a local home program.

Staff member Ben told the commission the rezoning would bring the properties into compliance and allow construction for Mr. Cortez, who has received state approval for the home program. Ben said the rezoning serves as a “backup” if an anticipated lot swap — moving the replacement house to a safer Pine Street lot the city owns — is not approved by the state.

The staff presentation noted the future land-use map designates the corridor as a mixed-use area and described R1C as a mixed-use tool that allows a single-family dwelling with very limited business uses (for example, a home occupation with no more than two employees). Ben said the change would avoid creating a small spot of nonconforming residential use and bring those two parcels in line with the comprehensive plan.

Commissioners questioned whether the R1C designation could become a stepping-stone to a more intense commercial use. One commissioner argued that keeping the corridor commercial would preserve opportunities for pad-site retail on Highway 79. Ben and other staff responded that any more intensive commercial use would require a separate rezoning process and that the lot-swap outcome could preserve the city’s larger commercial vision.

On the timeline, staff said infrastructure approvals and state review affect scheduling: if the lot swap is approved by the state, staff expects the house construction timeline to shift by roughly a month; if not, the rezoning is needed so building permits for the replacement house can be issued in time. Staff told commissioners the city has until March to advance the house under the current program before the applicant would need to reapply.

A commissioner moved to recommend approval and forward the rezoning to City Council for consideration; the motion was seconded. The commission voted 3–1 in favor. The meeting record shows one dissenting vote from a member who said they were “sticky about commercial” uses of that corridor. The recommendation will go to the Council for a first reading at the next meeting and a possible second reading in January, with staff monitoring the state decision on the lot swap before the second reading.

Next steps: the item will be placed on City Council’s agenda for first reading next Monday; staff will notify the commission of the state’s decision on the proposed lot swap before the Council’s second reading.