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Neighbors oppose rezoning tied to River City Ready Mix; commission approves recommendations to council
Summary
The commission heard extended testimony about two adjacent rezonings near Culebra Road tied to River City Ready Mix. Neighbors cited decades of alleged code violations and a pending court‑ordered cleanup; supporters said rezoning would help sell and clean the property. Commission recommended approval and will forward both items to City Council.
The commission devoted significant time to Items 2 and 3, rezonings near Culebra Road and Easterling Way that proponents say would allow a property operator to sell and comply with a court‑ordered cleanup, while neighbors said the owner’s history of code violations and environmental problems make rezoning inappropriate.
Rebeca Flores Pérez, who said she has represented the West Over Valley neighborhood association (SEG 1101), told the commission the community has documented “more than 200 violations and outstanding citations” at the site and does not trust the property owner to complete cleanup efforts. She urged denial. “Cualquier confianza que haya existido entre nuestra comunidad y River City se ha erosionado,” she said, describing long experience monitoring the site.
Applicant representatives and council allies countered that the owner had been cooperative with a cleanup schedule and that rezoning to C1/C2 or IDZ classifications would enable sale to a buyer who could perform remediation and reinvest in the neighborhood. Planner Forest Wilson explained the staff recommendation and what uses would be allowed under the proposed designations, including limits intended to reduce traffic and noise impacts.
Commissioners split on some points of emphasis but repeatedly returned to the legal timeline: staff and neighbors referenced a court order with a January 31 compliance date for cleanup work. After discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval for Item 2 (vote recorded with a single 'no' from Commissioner Douglas in the roll call) and later recommended approval of Item 3 as presented; both items will go to City Council for final action.
Why it matters: These two adjacent rezonings affect the immediate neighbors’ quality of life and whether a long‑running industrial operation will be constrained, sold or cleaned up. The court‑ordered cleanup date and the commission’s recommendation forward significant pressure on the applicant and on City Council to weigh neighborhood concerns against redevelopment incentives.
What’s next: Both items were forwarded as recommendations to City Council; the council will take final action on the rezonings and may attach additional conditions or require monitoring reports if the sale/cleanup proceeds.
