Board approves Davila Electric variances to keep shipping containers and a wall sign on Hillcrest Drive

The Balcones Heights Board of Adjustment voted to approve variance requests from Davila Electric for property at 2910 Hillcrest Drive.

City staff described three requests: relief to store up to five cargo containers on the commercial lot where the municipal code allows a maximum of two, reduced side/rear setbacks (staff said the containers encroached by about six inches to roughly 4–4.5 feet where the code calls for 5 feet), and a 36‑square‑foot wall sign in a portion of Hillcrest Drive designated as the Hillcrest District, where wall signs are generally not authorized. Staff recommended approval for the shipping containers and the wall sign, noting the containers are largely not visible from the right‑of‑way behind an eight‑foot fence and that only one public response — a late letter from an adjacent property owner — favored the change.

Property owner Mark Davila addressed the board and said the containers are full of equipment and moving them to meet the full 5‑foot setback would require additional expense and logistics (unloading trailers, hiring movers), which he sought to avoid. Board members asked about screening and visibility; staff confirmed the containers sit mostly out of public view and that the sign is smaller than what would be allowable on other minor arterials.

A board member moved and the board approved the variance for additional shipping containers; later the board approved the wall‑sign variance as presented. Staff said permits for the approved sign would be available that week.