In a recent meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, a proposal to rezone 37.47 acres from agricultural to commercial community use was discussed. The property, located at 1688 Albert Road, is currently zoned as A-35 and is surrounded by residential and agricultural areas. The proposed change aims to accommodate retail and service establishments that primarily serve nearby neighborhoods.

Edward Schonheit, the project engineer, presented the details of the proposal, which had previously been reviewed by the Planning Commission. On July 18, the commission recommended denial of the rezoning request with a vote of 7-2, citing concerns about compatibility with existing zoning districts and the El Paso master plan.

The proposed CC zoning district would allow for various commercial uses, including shopping centers, gas stations, and health clubs. However, the current land use plan emphasizes agricultural and open space uses, raising questions about the appropriateness of commercial development in this area.

Transportation concerns were also addressed during the meeting. A traffic study was conducted based on the applicant's proposal for a 2,000 to 3,000 square foot business event center. However, officials noted that a more comprehensive traffic impact study would be necessary if future development plans expanded beyond the current proposal. The study indicated that the proposed change would result in an additional 60 trips to the road network, which would require a driveway access permit and road impact fees.

Public input was encouraged, with a three-minute limit for comments from both supporters and opponents of the rezoning. The county received four letters of opposition, which were included in the meeting materials. The applicant, Richard Holmes, was invited to present his case following the staff's overview.

The Board of County Commissioners will deliberate on the proposal and make a final decision in the coming weeks.