[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6590902,"mediaKeyId","5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97","parentId",5445014,"title","Council advances first reading of zoning and parking ordinance amid neighborhood calls for more vetting","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6594000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97&start=6594&end=6594","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97/thumbnail_6594000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6590902/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Council-advances-first-reading-of-zoning-and-parking-ordinance-amid-neighborhood-calls-for-more-vetting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590902-8d3060abfe00a5b2a20a6ae9c10a3976/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135431&Signature=mA-Jx~Gp9B7otDHZtFof~d5L8d9Cvm5PFsWkAx3K~k3-6DB~qcUcvM5Z6TgfqPmhNxIWx4NBJW1VpWB~SkZUau9SWZCjz8VIBCQOgtL~EFyk3GcnpuYkwqGCNInyBOTmuPz4DkKHUXdLheefEe-OMgw2bD0M269mpdZ0YfFHtJh4fe4zU3h0e4Us2ntyT1dBX8mTEFx~nNegN1Vz66Y7cyg7YCvCCtYny9gseqpJKnvpcODt5P~Jb2vEggUo6cjXXKLAu9hAX9~-ZxXD2TD0iURajdEysBiAlPS3pZfCIe1WTc9bnBnV~lL-H7qsQQlYt~KE1juMw8S4YakO07hT~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of El Paso TX","date","2025-07-22T17:55:53.517Z","article","The El Paso City Council on July 22 approved the first reading of several planning and zoning ordinances, including Item 19, which would change zoning/parking categories and allow parking reductions in parts of the Uptown redevelopment area. The vote was procedural — advancing the ordinances to public hearing — but drew sustained public comment and multiple council members' requests for additional stakeholder engagement.

Representative Limon opened the item by stressing that the action was a first reading and not a final decision. \"This is not a final decision,\" Limon said, adding the public will have \"about a month\" to review and participate before the item returns for final action.

Several residents and civic representatives asked that the specific item be postponed so the city could present and consult directly with affected property owners. Mary Bardosh asked council to postpone Item 19 and require a formal presentation to stakeholders, saying she believed Texas law protocol requires stakeholder presentation before an item is placed on a final agenda. Linda Troncoso, a local civil engineer redeveloping property in the Uptown district, told council the study underpinning the ordinance characterized on‑street parking in front of homes and businesses as \"excess\" and estimated 12,000–14,000 extra on‑street spaces, a conclusion she said requires careful vetting with residents who will be affected.

\"Part of what you just heard previously saying we need to vet this, is a request to see those people whose properties are actually going to be impacted Understand what's going on,\" Troncoso said, noting the Uptown redevelopment plan has been in development since 2019 and that some stakeholders reported receiving no follow‑up after meetings last year.

Representative Canales and planning staff described an outreach program that began before April 2024 and continued since, including presentations to neighborhood associations and professional groups. Canales listed outreach contacts: the Chihuahuita Neighborhood Association; Familia Unida; Sun City, Kern Place, Rim Area and Rio Grande neighborhood associations; the South Side Neighborhood Association; the American Institute of Architects; AARP El Paso; developers' focus groups; the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors; Urban Land Institute El Paso; and multiple civic groups. Canales said many of those groups have provided letters of support or are in the process of doing so and urged the council to proceed with the first reading because a public hearing date must be advertised.

Other council members asked staff to continue outreach during the month before the public hearing and to reschedule meetings requested by civic groups that had to cancel. Representative Maldonado Rocha and others repeatedly urged early stakeholder involvement whenever an ordinance could affect residents.

Clarifying details

- This meeting advanced the first reading of Item 19 (and related ordinances Items 17–23). First reading does not adopt final ordinance language; it sets a public hearing date.

- Stakeholders and groups staff reported contacting include neighborhood associations (Kern Place, Rim Area, Rio Grande, Sunset Heights, South Side), the American Institute of Architects, AARP El Paso, the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors and the Urban Land Institute El Paso chapter.

- A study cited in testimony claimed 12,000–14,000 on‑street spaces characterized as \"excess\" in areas considered for redevelopment; speakers said property owners need clearer explanation of that methodology.

Why the issue matters

Proposed parking reductions and zoning changes can alter on‑street parking availability, redevelopment potential, and neighborhood character. Residents said they want direct presentations and follow‑up before final votes to ensure affected homeowners and businesses understand projected changes and mitigation measures.

Next steps

Council approved the first reading and scheduled public hearings; staff committed to continuing outreach and to provide clear descriptions of proposed language and impacts. If stakeholders request postponement after outreach, council members said they would consider delaying final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 07/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved first reading of ordinances that include proposed zoning and parking changes (Item 19 among them) but several residents and council members pressed for broader stakeholder outreach and asked for postponement or additional meetings before final action.","taxTitle","El Paso City, El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2792,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6590910,"Residents, solar advocates urge council to oppose El Paso Electric rate increase, warn of harms to vulnerable households",271,3211000,3482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97&start=3211&end=3482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97/thumbnail_3211000.jpg","/articles/6590910/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/Residents-solar-advocates-urge-council-to-oppose-El-Paso-Electric-rate-increase-warn-of-harms-to-vulnerable-households","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590910-3483a97daf92490856d55189f735db78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135431&Signature=RJVpvwHI-ynBf3~TpCEaWpo1XyG~kkniQOuBAy-4qrf8Ya0bghtIIlp4lBXaeAT4Opwdmnemu2sl~OTP4jJkzyLTRmzFzCmIuhDAGbv0hbDmRjqUzz7D7NVxMCnMeIj5K7sQH0A6peIXjfKOxAy398HPUim--2VW-6ACtywEqOFrDWMeSLPbxwXvgEYw3HDBNSSiqhwPXguC3YYieViHrVMcVQBXJqm8heku5MlSW-93JqIecPuppQlYXXbsAb266YZvXN3cddZ1naQOHc3LhfMLsur7hkopWB75C9H6nfiuwCeqXt6Z5FJRwc-Ix2PkKdbw5vPG5xnwBv7jpMHpOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at the July 22 El Paso City Council meeting urged the council to oppose a pending El Paso Electric rate increase, describing potential harms to low‑income residents, renters, medically dependent households and rooftop solar owners.

Veronica Carvajal, an organizer with the Sembrando Esperanza coalition, told council members the coalition submitted technical comments and more than 600 public comments to the Public Utility Commission process and asked the council to “stand with us” and oppose the proposed residential rate increases.

\"We are asking that you say no to higher bills, that are driven by corporate greed and by climate pollution,\" Carvajal said, adding that the coalition estimates 40% of El Paso households could face an excessive energy burden if the proposal passes. She gave an example from local billing data: a single‑bedroom apartment that used 358 kilowatt‑hours in July had a bill this year of $58; under the company’s proposal that usage would see a monthly bill of $79 — a 31% increase and roughly $161 more over a year. In a hotter year, she said, the same customer could see a single monthly bill of $91.

Sam Solerio, an El Paso electrical contractor who said he installs residential solar and now works with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors Action, said the company is asking for an increase to its allowed return on equity and described how utility profits have changed since JPMorgan Chase acquired El Paso Electric in 2020. \"If you look at their profits, the average from 2017 to 2019 was about $102,000,000,\" Solerio said. \"The average from 2021 to 2023 was about $140,000,000.\" He argued customers and homeowners investing in rooftop solar are not fairly compensated for their excess generation, noting that rooftop producers receive under 2¢ per kilowatt‑hour when the utility buys back power, while the utility sells that same kilowatt‑hour at a much higher retail rate.

Saul Gonzalez, a member of Sembrando Esperanza, urged council members to focus on the human impacts of rate increases. \"For some, an increase of $20 to $30 a month may not seem like much,\" Gonzalez said, describing conversations with residents who already skip medications because they cannot afford them and noting that power is a medical necessity for some households that rely on refrigeration for insulin or oxygen concentrators.

Council did not take action on the rate case at the meeting. Staff and members of the public noted the council is an intervener in the Utility Commission process but that the rate case is decided by state regulators. Several council members said they would continue to monitor the case and raise affected residents' concerns with intervening counsel.

Clarifying details from testimony

- Coalition estimate: \"40% of El Paso households\" would be placed into excessive energy burden if the proposed rates pass (Sembrando Esperanza, testimony).

- Example billing data: 358 kWh/month household: current bill ~$58; projected under proposal ~$79 (31% rise); annual impact $161; hotter‑year single month could be $91 (testimony by Veronica Carvajal).

- Utility profits cited by Sam Solerio: average profit 2017–2019 ~$102,000,000; average profit 2021–2023 ~$140,000,000 (speaker provided these figures in public comment).

Why it matters

A rate increase set by the Utility Commission of Texas would raise monthly bills across customer classes and could disproportionately affect medically vulnerable and low‑income households. Public commenters tied the utility's proposed changes to both affordability concerns and to the structure of compensation for distributed solar generation.

What council can and cannot do

Council members can submit letters, intervene in a regulatory case and ask the company and state regulators to consider low‑income and medically vulnerable customers. The ultimate decision rests with the state regulatory process; no vote on the rate design was taken at this meeting.

Speakers

Veronica Carvajal — organizer, Sembrando Esperanza.
Sam Solerio — electrical contractor, Solar United Neighbors Action (intervener in rate case).
Saul Gonzalez — member, Sembrando Esperanza.

Ending

Council members said they would continue to monitor the rate proceeding and to advocate for protections for low‑income and medically dependent customers during the commission process.","Three public commenters at the July 22 El Paso City Council meeting urged the council to oppose a proposed El Paso Electric rate increase before the Utility Commission of Texas, saying it would raise bills for low‑use households, threaten medically dependent residents and limit rooftop solar economics.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":42,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6590914,"City council approves dozens of ordinances, contracts and budget transfers; several zoning and traffic measures adopted",6449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97&start=6449&end=6449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5445014-af0b2c12036d19d81c59123759286e97/thumbnail_6449000.jpg","/articles/6590914/El-Paso-City/El-Paso-County/Texas/City-council-approves-dozens-of-ordinances-contracts-and-budget-transfers-several-zoning-and-traffic-measures-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6590914-1c43d683ede6cf03b6f8c55ca32d63c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135431&Signature=dgvIp9ROnO6cSqOf8eOc9ndWvQDps0y4vyavjgwENhbLx9d3sh8gyVgFhef0Ae-Q4hxqIorIpqKU5rKI2NC8LnX2SJSxDCvL18~~FDIdrg-1nUojssxGTwrNlZmyT~4SaldPl~dK7B3WuwqLSZKXdl8A8-7liE~xuQYruU~C8ua4MG5cdq80j43iqhfPn1v~hpvnevdQrvYsI5S7G4ez7YM8Uc2grleENEe0GYyqWjKW6tXyCVhSXQi0AlwA2QwVz0WrCvfMQsf~yJAwzpKiBcICFDzdhIfi8frLN1lH0iQYoC2v8XKRTbccM6LrrDM4t9OxgPui~1SJtskwYEfLwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso City Council on July 22 adopted a series of ordinances, contract awards and budget transfers covering zoning changes, traffic and parking regulations, procurement and capital project adjustments.

The council unanimously approved a multi‑item consent and regular agenda that included: the award of a domestic terrorism consultant contract to Porcina Solutions LLC (Item 16); first readings of ordinances (Items 17–23); adoption of zoning changes at 1071 Country Club Road (Items 24–25) and 525 Lafayette Drive (Item 26); additional zoning adoptions (Items 27–29); dissolution and replacement of the Construction Board of Appeals across multiple codes (Items 30–36); new residential parking and no‑parking ordinances at specified blocks (Items 37–38); a change to a speed limit on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Item 39); award of a roof repair contract for the EPIA terminal to Aztec Contractors Inc. (Item 40); multiple project budget transfers from completed to over‑budget projects and other transfers (Item 41); a deductive change order to ZTex Construction for traffic signal work (Item 42); and a council authorization to send a letter of support for a proposed state Unified Transportation Program project request (Item 43).

Council also heard and approved two Sun Metro grant items in a special Sun Metro board meeting convened after the council session: acceptance of a Fiscal Year 2024 Low‑No Emission Grants program award for buses and facilities, and acceptance of a FY24 community project funding award for a microtransit pilot; both items included required local matches and passed unanimously.

Notable contract and budget actions

- Award: domestic terrorism consultant — Porcina Solutions LLC (Item 16). The contract, funded via a state Homeland Security grant administered by FEMA, is to support a functional exercise simulating a domestic terrorism threat and enhance intelligence, threat assessment and interagency coordination. The award was approved unanimously after staff explained the grant source and scope.

- Contract award: EPIA Terminal Roof Repairs — Aztec Contractors Inc. (Item 40). Council approved the contract in the amount of $3,321,150.

- Budget transfers: Council approved transfers moving savings from completed bond and arterial projects to ongoing over‑budget projects (Geronimo, Shadow Mountain, Lee Trevino and Sunland Park), set up budget for airport reconstruction (Airport Road), allocated investment interest to the El Paso Zoo South American pavilion and to Central Flat Fields (Item 41). Staff said savings arose where final bids were below estimates and some projects required deeper excavation or heavier pavement sections due to higher traffic counts.

Land‑use and regulatory changes

- First readings (Items 17–23) were approved to set public hearings; those ordinances will return for final vote after advertised public notice and hearings.

- Zoning and condition releases (Items 24–29) were adopted to reclassify multiple parcels across the city as presented in the agenda backup; council recorded no remonstrations during the vote and passed the items unanimously.

- The council adopted ordinances that replace references to the Construction Board of Appeals with an appeals officer across several code chapters (Items 30–36), fulfilling a previously directed reorganization.

Traffic and parking

- Residential parking changes (Item 37) and a separate no‑parking decal zone (Item 38) were adopted for specified blocks; staff said the rules respond to neighborhood requests tied to event parking and safety.

- The posted speed limit on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was updated to 45 mph from Loma Real Avenue to Gateway South Boulevard (Item 39).

Sun Metro actions

- The Sun Metro board approved acceptance of a FY24 Low‑No Emission Grant (buses and bus facilities) that requires city matching funds as noted in the Sun Metro packet.

- The board also approved acceptance of a FY24 community project funding award to support a microtransit project, with the required cash match.

How council voted

Most roll calls were recorded as unanimous approvals; where staff noted a motion and a second, the clerk called the vote and recorded passage with no recorded negative votes.

What happens next

First‑reading ordinances will return for public hearings and final action. Several projects funded or amended by budget transfers will proceed under staff direction; contracts awarded will move to execution and implementation. The Sun Metro items advance required grant acceptance steps.

Ending note

Council adjourned the regular meeting at approximately 11:32 a.m.; Sun Metro convened a special board meeting immediately afterward and completed its agenda before noon.","At its July 22 meeting the El Paso City Council approved a package of first‑reading ordinances, multiple zoning and traffic ordinances, contract awards, a major roof repair contract, budget transfers and other items. Several items were adopted unanimously; several land‑use items and fee/ordinance changes were introduced for later public hearings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances first reading of zoning and parking ordinance amid neighborhood calls for more vetting

Residents, solar advocates urge council to oppose El Paso Electric rate increase, warn of harms to vulnerable households

City council approves dozens of ordinances, contracts and budget transfers; several zoning and traffic measures adopted