Proposed apartments require zoning change
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

A small apartment complex proposal to be presented to El Campo Planning & Zoning Commissioners at 5 p.m. today is already drawing concerns.

For the construction to ultimately become a reality, it will require a zoning change along with the blessings of City Council.

But Salinas Construction Co. will have to present plans to P&Z first.

West Webb Street roughly across from Myatt Elementary is the target site for the six building plan. The complex, if approved, would be sited on 1.92 acres between West Webb and Shimek streets.

To locate the project there, lot owner Fred Salinas is requesting the land be rezoned from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to R-3 (Multiple Family Residential). The land is contiguous to commercial developments along Hwy. 71 as well as the school.

"This area is not zoned for multiple units, but I do believe that this could be a positive and much needed change for the community," Joe Strack IV of J4 Custom Builders, Inc. said in a March 26 letter to the city.

Nearby property owner David Zalman is protesting the possible complex.

"As most of you know, I have spent a great deal of money on improving my property which is located adjacent o the property being considered for rezoning," he said in an April 24 letter to the city.

He added, "I had several options to build my home in other towns and cities which probably would have been more beneficial in the event I would ever want to sell or leave, but I chose to build here in El Campo. I would never have done this had I ever thought the rezoning of this neighborhood to R-3 would be a possibility."

P&Z meets at 5 p.m. today in City Council chambers, 315 E. Jackson. The meeting is open to the public.

Commissioners are asked to review all requests coming before them and vote on a recommendation to City Council. City Council makes all the final decisions on zoning matters.

If P&Z votes to recommend approval, it only requires a majority vote of Council to accept the change.

If P&Z recommends a change be denied, it can still be appealed to City Council, but requires a super majority or six votes to proceed.

The next City Council meeting won't be held until after May 10 elections have been concluded.

Also on today's P&Z agenda is a review of plats for the Couey Professional Park on the West Loop.