Council advances rezoning of six parcels from agricultural to R-1 to resolve setback issues

The City Council on Aug. 4 advanced to second reading an ordinance to rezone six parcels near Southwest Prior Road and Southwest Crane Road from agricultural (AG) to single-family residential (R-1).

Michael King, an owner and applicant, told the council he and co-applicants purchased and rehabilitated several lots that had been overgrown or vacant and sought rezoning because agricultural setbacks — which are sized for large acreage — prevented reasonable additions or lot recombination for family use.

“You know our neighborhood for the most part is non-conforming, so it really doesn't make any sense to, for us anyway to continue with the agricultural,” King said, explaining the practical motivation was to allow home expansions and lot combinations.

Senior planner Hector Sotto Jr. explained that many lots in the subdivision date from the 1950s–70s and were annexed into the city in 1964; the city retained agricultural zoning at annexation unless owners sought rezoning. He said AG setbacks (for example, 50-foot side yards) can make typical single-family building or additions infeasible; the applicants reached out to immediate neighbors but only a subset pursued rezoning.

“Over the years we've had interest but no 1 has come forward. We now have a couple property owners that actually have interest in rezoning the property in order to accomplish some of their goals of, well, in some cases, expanding the lots that they have,” Sotto said. He recommended approval subject to two conditions.

Several residents spoke during public comment with questions about existing outbuildings and how the change would affect accessory structures; staff clarified that nonconforming uses can persist until changed and that rezoning would change setback rules for future construction. One resident noted property-assessment differences and was advised assessments are a county matter.

Council member Shields read bill 25-140 to advance the ordinance to second reading; the council voted 7-0 to move the rezoning forward.

If adopted, the rezoning will allow the named parcels to conform to R-1 standards and enable owners to combine lots or seek building permits that meet R-1 setbacks; other neighborhood parcels that did not join the application would retain AG zoning unless their owners apply separately.