Krebs planning board recommends closing Block 87 alley, approves house addition and tables road vacate pending survey

The City of Krebs Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10 recommended that the city council close the remainder of an alley in Block 87, voted to recommend approval of a room addition permit at 56 N Maple, and tabled two items — including a proposed vacation of a platted north-south road in Townsite Addition #8 — until staff can provide a valid survey and more information.

Chairman Mark Moy opened the meeting and took roll; Commissioners Richard Cotton, James Garigin and Dana DeFrange were present. The board began by approving the minutes of its March 4, 2025 meeting on a motion from Richard Cotton, seconded by James Garigin; the vote was 4–0.

On a previously discussed agenda item about building permits and fees, Chairman Moy moved to table further action “until further information can be obtained,” a motion seconded by James Garigin and adopted unanimously.

The board then considered a parcel in Townsite Addition #8 where property owners seek to vacate a section of platted road running north–south between Lots 14 and 15, north of NE Filmore Avenue. Chairman Moy and Commissioner Cotton said the commission lacked a survey showing whether structures encroach on the roadway. Cotton moved to table the road-vacation recommendation “until we get a valid survey,” Chairman Moy seconded, and the motion to table passed 4–0.

Property owner Chuck Nelms asked the commission to recommend closing the rest of an alley located in Block 87 between SW Third Street and SW Fourth Street, telling the board he had located a city letter dated Sept. 26, 1960 showing a partial closure. Nelms said portions of the alley contain trees, buildings and an 1890 barn on his property. Neighbor Steve Ott told the commission he had no opposition to the closure.

Commissioner Richard Cotton moved that the board recommend closing the remainder of the alley; James Garigin seconded. Chairman Moy noted that city council approval would be required and that, "if you want that legally shut down, then you've got to go to court, the district court to get that thing legally closed," meaning a district court action would be needed after council approval. The recommendation to close the alley passed unanimously.

Later in the meeting, applicant Flor Maldonado requested a room addition (bedroom and bathroom) for property at 56 N Maple (Block 30, Lot 1 and part of Lots 2 and 3). Commissioner Cotton said the legal description matched the property as shown and moved that the commission recommend city council approve the building permit. Dana DeFrange seconded; the motion passed 4–0.

During discussion of rezoning actions taken by the city council without referral to the Planning & Zoning Board, Dan Heathcock, Ward One councilman, said he had voted on a recent rezoning that he later believed had been handled incorrectly. Chairman Moy said he had talked to Councilmember Zack Prichard about the matter and that Prichard had not agreed to reverse the action.

The commission had no further comments and adjourned after a unanimous motion by Chairman Moy.

Next steps: the board’s recommendations (alley closure and the building-permit recommendation) go to the Krebs City Council for consideration; the road-vacation request will remain tabled until the applicant or staff supplies a valid survey showing right-of-way boundaries.