Crockett council approves two C-2 rezones after public hearings; fencing required for proposed mechanic shop

Crockett — The City Council approved two rezoning requests during a public hearing portion of Monday’s meeting, routing both matters through the planning and zoning board’s recommendations.

404 West Austin (Leo King): The applicant requested a change from R-2 (two-family residential) to M (manufacturing/warehousing). Planning & Zoning recommended a more limited C-2 commercial designation to serve as a buffer between heavier industrial uses and adjacent homes; council accepted that recommendation and granted the C-2 zoning.

310 West Goliad (Alma R. Murray / owner: Vijaya Karim Kanda): The council held a public hearing after staff explained the property had been used in a nonconforming, mixed fashion. A representative, Elmer Murray, said the owner intends to lease the space for an auto-mechanic shop. Planning & Zoning recommended C-2 with conditions including privacy screening and fencing between the commercial site and the neighboring residence. Council approved the rezoning with the required screening.

What the planners recommended: Staff and the planning and zoning board emphasized that C-2 zoning would permit commercial uses while reducing the likelihood of heavier manufacturing uses next to homes. The conditions for the mechanic proposal specifically required a privacy fence rather than a chain-link barrier.

Next steps: Both zoning changes were approved by council vote and the ordinances will be reflected in the city’s zoning records; staff said it will follow up on the address-recording detail for the West Austin property.

Representative quotes from the hearing included staff explaining the P&Z recommendation: "Granting C-2 use... would reduce the corner store... and act as a buffer zone" and a council member noting the fencing requirement for the mechanic site.