First reading and public hearing of an ordinance for Z26-11, a request for a zone change from the Single-family Residential zoning dstrict to Three-and Four-Family Residential zoning district located at 622 E. 44th St. (Presentation made by Planning and Development Services Director Aaron Vannoy)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

The request is for a rezoning to a new residential zoning district of 3 and 4-family residential (RS-6).  The applicant has expressed placing 2 triplexes, one per lot for this application.  622 E 44th is the middle of the block lots, being a combined 15,000 Sq. Ft. between the two available lots.  This is where old housing stood and was demolished.  The roadway is 36' paved with curb and gutter allowing additional vehicular traffic to interact with the whole block safely. <br data-pasted="true"><br>There was one resident who came forward to state that the area should stay single-family residential and anything other than that could bring crime and other issues. This area is served primarily by single family housing of medium-sized lots and is not fiscally sustainable for the cost of infrastructure and services in the area. While not ideally on a corner lot, the lot sizes are significant and can manage the density request.  The other option might be RS-5 where 5 houses could be built, but then the applicant has to replant, and we might end up with flag lots to manage over time. We need more diversity in housing style for our mature neighborhoods to continue to meet the needs of all citizens. <br><br>Housing is critical to our fiscal sustainability for our community.  Housing of all types are economic development. These lots have been vacant and not redeveloped by single-family style housing.  The housing study from 2019 and 2025 reiterated a mix of housing styles; Small incremental development of housing on infill lots is the most critical need facing San Angelo.  Several studies throughout the country have proven small developments like this are not detrimental to property values and assist with lowering crime.  Our own local Infill program study has proven a lowering of crime, code and a revitalization of civic pride adjacent to these infill projects. <br><br>One citizen did come and actually spoke at the Planning Commission.  This was enough for them to vote 4-2 in denial of the rezoning request on July 20, 2026. Pursuant to Section 213 of the Zoning Ordinance, this item will require a super majority vote to override the Planning Commission's denial.<br><br>City staff are in support of the rezoning request.

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 6.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).