Midlothian council denies request to convert Star Wash Drive house into eight‑person group home

The Midlothian City Council on April 28 denied a request to allow an eight‑person residential group home at 3220 Star Wash Drive, voting 7–0 after residents from the immediate neighborhood urged rejection.

Neighbors told council the house is too small for the operation residents described. Marcy Mormon, who lives “a few houses away,” said the footprint is similar to her own 1,375‑square‑foot house and she could not imagine fitting eight residents with dignity: “Fitting 8 people… I wouldn't even consciously want to entertain that motion,” she said, urging the council to uphold a prior 5–0 Planning & Zoning denial.

Staff described the applicants’ proposal as an eight‑person, congregate residential group home with two supervisory staff and 24‑hour care. Miriam Spencer, assistant director of planning, told the council staff recommended approval of the group‑home use but opposed an accompanying variance to enclose the existing garage without constructing a detached garage. Spencer said the house was presented in staff materials with a 2,353‑square‑foot figure; neighbors disputed that and provided smaller measurements during public comment.

Neighbors pressed practical concerns. Jeff Yarbrough, two doors from the property, said the street lacks sidewalks and curbs and argued the location lacks adequate parking and septic infrastructure for the proposed intensity of use: “This is a quiet neighborhood… this will be a different environment for our small community.” Brandy Butler, who lives adjacent to the lot, asked the council either to deny the permit or impose operational conditions—fencing, defined parking and active enforcement—to protect nearby properties.

Council members discussed the limits of local authority and state law. City staff noted that Texas law allows certain licensed community homes with up to six residents by right in residential districts; local discretion applies to intensity‑of‑use issues such as parking, septic capacity and neighborhood compatibility rather than residents’ disabilities.

With no applicant present to speak and a sustained stream of opposition from nearby homeowners, council members voted to deny the specific use permit. The motion to deny passed 7–0. The denial leaves the property in its current zoning and means any future application must address the neighborhood, infrastructure and variance concerns the council identified.