Commission recommends rezoning on Ambler Avenue despite resident traffic, noise concerns

The commission recommended approval of Z2026-27, a request to rezone roughly 0.81 acres on Ambler Avenue from single-family to general commercial. Kara Veil presented staff’s recommendation and said one notice in favor was received; staff recommended approval based on plan consistency and surrounding uses.

Several residents spoke in opposition or with questions. Gary Underwood said traffic is already heavy near Ambler and Ambler’s adjacent intersections back up during peak periods. Lindsay Vermillion asked what specific commercial uses would be allowed; developer representative Jack Aduro said the corner is consistent with surrounding commercial development and that a proposed site plan would close existing ingress on Grape Street and route ingress/egress off Ambler. Aduro said potential tenants include coffee operators such as Dutch Bros. Resident Prisma Blake said bus stops and student pedestrian activity increase safety concerns and said the two-lane connecting streets offer little room for expansion. Commissioners discussed the classification of Ambler as an arterial under TxDOT and encouraged residents to raise traffic-signal/turn-lane issues with TxDOT; the motion to recommend approval carried unanimously and will be forwarded to City Council.