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Residents press council for details on Thornton 'man camp'; planning commission approves rezoning for mobile home
Summary
Residents told the City of Jal they were not notified about zoning changes and demanded a site plan and buffer details for a proposed 'man camp' on Thornton. The Planning & Zoning Commission later approved changing 427 S. 2nd from Residential A to Residential B to allow a mobile home (6-0).
Residents raised alarms about a proposed encampment and recent zoning changes at the City of Jal’s Sept. 23 meeting, and Planning & Zoning later approved a rezoning that will allow a mobile home at 427 South 2nd Street.
“...that to me is ruining the last decent neighborhood we have in Jal,” resident Trevor Thompson said, asking the council for a site plan, clarification about a mapped alleyway behind his house and the timing of any ordinance changes that moved parcels to Residential B.
Neighbor Terry Butts told the council he received no notice of rezoning and said the change had harmed his neighborhood’s character. “It didn’t just happen; I didn’t get any letter in the mail for zoning changes,” he said.
Mayor Stephen Aldridge responded that residents should meet with staff and said the city would check the mapped alleyway Thornton residents referenced. Aldridge said the city attorney had been consulted and that distinctions between Residential A, B and B1 zoning classifications have been on the books "for quite some time," but he acknowledged staff should have done a deeper review when questions first arose.
Later, while meeting as the Planning & Zoning Commission, members voted unanimously to approve Letty Rocha’s request (Herwig & Stuart; Block 42 Lot 33) to rezone 427 S. 2nd from Residential A to Residential B to permit placement of a mobile home. Commissioner Seifts made the motion and Commissioner Trevino seconded; the vote was 6-0.
Why it matters: Residents said the rezoning and proposed nearby lodging raise safety and neighborhood-character concerns. Councilors and staff said they would follow up with detailed maps and legal guidance; the manager’s office and the city attorney were identified as the points of contact.
What’s next: The commission’s approval allows the property owner to pursue placement of a mobile home consistent with Residential B uses; residents were encouraged to meet with city staff to review plats, alleyway status and the attorney’s guidance.
