Council approves rezoning at 5050 Hemphill Drive despite staff and neighborhood opposition

Agenda item 9 asked the council to change zoning at 5050 Hemphill Drive from R5 to R3. Planning staff recommended denial while the zoning commission recommended approval; staff reported 34 mailed notices with 0 returned in favor and 3 in opposition and noted the Culebra Park Neighborhood Association opposed the change.

Don Rios, speaking for the neighborhood association, urged council to vote no, calling the proposal to split the narrow lot into two single-family homes "completely unreasonable and irresponsible for the size." Council discussion followed and a council member moved to approve the rezoning; the motion carried, so the change to R3 was approved despite neighborhood opposition and a staff recommendation to deny.