Council approves setback variance for proposed pizza restaurant at 27913 Southwest Freeway

Rosenberg City Council on Sept. 12 approved a variance allowing a 10‑foot parking setback from the highway frontage and 2.5‑foot side setbacks at 27913 Southwest Freeway, enabling the construction of a two‑story, roughly 7,000‑square‑foot pizza restaurant with a drive‑through on a 0.72‑acre lot.

Applicant Itoro Philip told the council the parcel is unusually narrow and cannot meet the city’s standard setbacks without creating a hardship for the proposed business. "All we just want is a setback which enables us to have the necessary packing requirement for the business," Philip said during the public hearing. Partner Mwaeke Williams said the site is the last undeveloped parcel in that commercial stretch and argued the project will generate sales tax revenue and local jobs.

Planning staff reported the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Aug. 20 and voted 3–1 not to recommend approval. Planning Commission chair Wayne Poldrack told council his principal concern was safety tied to a single shared curb cut on the busy feeder road: "My only issue with this was... single entry for both businesses off the Feeder Road... I considered it a safety issue," he said. City staff explained that TxDOT controls curb cuts on the feeder and that the proposed driveway alignment would match the adjacent Shipley Donut access, which was built under earlier standards.

Councilmember Hector moved to approve the variance and was seconded by Councilmember Felix. After council discussion about uniform appearance and the narrow lot, members voted to approve the request. The council recorded the action as an approval of the variance for 27913 Southwest Freeway; staff may proceed with permitting consistent with the approved setback standards.

The applicant and staff were advised to follow TxDOT requirements for any curb‑cut changes and to return to the permit process for final site‑plan review.