[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6192719,"mediaKeyId","4013106-3582d5ac217f67a9053a9169c3437c6e","parentId",4013106,"title","Commission approves Ili/ Ili Plaza preliminary plat after dispute over emergency access, easement width and fire gate","audioSeconds",707,"startMs",2765000,"endMs",3472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4013106-3582d5ac217f67a9053a9169c3437c6e&start=2765&end=3472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4013106-3582d5ac217f67a9053a9169c3437c6e/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192719/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Commission-approves-Ili-Ili-Plaza-preliminary-plat-after-dispute-over-emergency-access-easement-width-and-fire-gate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192719-4096a776be02f27631027f70b3534ca7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803513&Signature=LZl0UCs8SwOT2EjrRzko8BrRroKnRzDJxfRuLQFo6s1vt1k99vP9BMykS5tmIDjpac8Cm-5R7RFXgf4mcs9KxeDoiMfLKZ7v3fB2oo450jthuavfsqGfzKm34DAfW~Uf2MEsvDgADErRZla-mG7mKHiSItWr-itzC3DEo8~V4MB-QOAdwCowVkhxfXfvyqfWwqskXifEA9~68RVuVlIVQUOOQImljzHsdCRdlRvwAgPH-COlsn0Tj8vzUo0ARP7H9y97KgsCkg9S0n95WDJCBGaeqp8vnwAXwXSIaF1nbrCViR4L8FaUJ-ydWPTP-IFSRBkayTrsoz3eFaUbKBxCPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-06-19T01:41:19Z","article","The City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for Ili and Ili Plaza Subdivision with changes the developer requested to staff’s recommended conditions, after more than an hour of discussion about a secondary access point, easement width and whether an automatic fire gate should be required.

The applicant’s representative, Ricardo Ramos of Durant Engineering (speaking for the developer), asked the commission to delete planning comment number 1 and related traffic and fire notes that would have required connecting Allegheny to Shiloh with a full 50‑foot right of way and installing an automatic-entry gate for emergency access. Ramos said his client could use the area for parking and preferred an easement rather than a dedicated public street. Planning staff had argued the subdivision needs a full alternative access because it exceeds the threshold for a single access and because a full road would best serve long‑term mobility and safety.

A Fire Department representative stressed the safety issue during the hearing: “We do need that secondary access point,” the representative told commissioners, noting the subdivision’s size and the mobility risk of having only a single access.

The developer said he could accept other compromises: at one point his representative said, “If it helps, I can just eliminate the gate completely,” meaning he would leave the easement open rather than install a locked gate for emergency use only. Staff explained that, under the subdivision ordinance, if primary access to a lot is not from the mapped street the developer must provide a 50‑foot paved access to city standards; planning staff asked for that standard. The applicant proposed a 25‑foot emergency access and utility easement instead; planning and fire staff debated whether a 25‑foot easement would meet safety and traffic expectations.

After discussion and negotiation, the commission approved the plat with the developer’s requested edits: planning note number 7 was to be revised so that the middle lot would access Wyndham Terrace as described by the applicant, and the commission removed planning note number 1, planning note number 2 (related to connection), traffic comment number 1 and the staff-suggested fire gate requirement. The final motion approved the preliminary plat “subject to staff comments” with those specific planning, traffic and fire items removed. Commissioners recorded the motion as passed following a roll call.

Planning staff continued to express a preference for a full road connection and a larger right of way, and cautioned that a narrower easement could limit future access and driveways; staff also said ordinance minima apply and that other city departments could require wider sections at the development/permit stage. The record shows the commission’s approval nonetheless moved forward with the narrower emergency access approach and with the developer’s commitment to provide emergency‑access easements and other plat notes addressing access and cemetery relocation issues on the site.

Commissioners and staff noted the developer had researched cemetery relocation procedures and that additional approvals or processes would be required if graves are to be moved. The commission’s vote advanced the plat to the next procedural step; the developer must still satisfy staff comments and final plat requirements prior to final approval and construction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, 06/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for Ili and Ili Plaza Subdivision after removing staff conditions that would have required a 50‑foot road connection and an automatic fire gate, replacing them with a narrower emergency access easement and related plat notes.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192721,"Planning commission backs rezoning for East Travis lot to allow commercial parking despite staff opposition",278,502000,780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4013106-3582d5ac217f67a9053a9169c3437c6e&start=502&end=780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4013106-3582d5ac217f67a9053a9169c3437c6e/thumbnail_502000.jpg","/articles/6192721/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Planning-commission-backs-rezoning-for-East-Travis-lot-to-allow-commercial-parking-despite-staff-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192721-f7b8cd02df132ac2302918f164714e14/orig.mp4?Expires=1770803513&Signature=ZExZbL0fMZL7VUYXsuZ25jxaT5vJdmBZqSUbpjiibvGZpco59xqof1SH08JNLgtb7AHXyS1B9Y97g5C8qwiRT1DwXdeJQrTi4BBGEpe5EL5nBsfz6yOxwaIfQNH6K-LD05~dzWXvmN459u9YlIknNGUQarI7u8C5ja~RivTQB7c6vuk23ZYl9~l1OVm31V9eQzfyrPplodt6ktm1xoAxCULE52pAINxVjQNvkJgqGeLTZOcagw-7u~Thd2R82zNrfLgeojJM6seezpBlvnsjNidqsaTavXJcXBcCxhoFipr2OqIF4sHpKC2y7jGRUcfuv92pjYCkjfm2LxXZTIiT7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1002 East Travis Street from R-3 (multi‑family residential) to B-3 (general commercial) to allow a commercial parking lot, overriding planning staff’s recommendation against the change.

The lot is owned by Theodore Valdivas; Dorian Ranjell is listed as the applicant and representative. At the hearing, a speaker identifying herself as Doreen Raquel, speaking for the applicant, told the commission the lot would serve as “an alleviation for parking for customers” of a transmission repair business on Saunders Avenue. Planning staff recommended denial and said the applicant was already the subject of zoning enforcement citations dated March 24, 2025 for “operating a business without a certificate of occupancy,” “using the right of way for commercial purposes,” and “operating an auto repair shop in an R-3 residential zoning district.”

The rezoning matter drew sustained questioning from commissioners about whether changing the zoning would actually reduce on‑street parking on Hendricks Street. Commissioners repeatedly pressed the applicant’s representative about why customer vehicles were not being parked inside the existing lot and whether the rear lot could realistically absorb overflow. Planning staff told the commission a conditional use permit (CUP) had been discussed with the applicant and would have allowed the limited parking use while enabling conditions to mitigate neighborhood impacts; staff said the CUP offered “an additional level of comfort” that a full zone change would not.

Despite those concerns and staff’s recommendation, a commissioner moved “to go against that recommendation and grant the B‑3 use.” The motion passed. Commissioners noted standard site requirements — fencing, paving and distance standards — would still apply if the lot is used for parking. Planning staff also warned that the commission’s recommendation goes next to City Council and that, if City Council denies the rezoning, the applicant would face waiting periods before reapplying.

Doreen Raquel, representing the applicant, told the commission: “Pretty much, we want to alleviate the situation that’s going on on Hendricks Street, which is the excessive parking of customers.” Planning staff stated during the hearing that “staff does not support the proposed zone change.”

The commission’s recommendation does not itself change zoning; the item will be forwarded to City Council for final action. City staff also advised the applicant that, if they prefer the conditional use process, they may amend their application and be re‑noticed for a future hearing but would need to submit a new application and comply with any waiting periods triggered by City Council action.

Details about letters and responses accompanying the application were provided at the hearing: staff reported 26 notices were mailed and the record showed responses from members of the public. The commission required that any parking use comply with applicable site standards, including paving and fencing, before allowing customer parking on the lot.","The City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning 1002 East Travis Street from R-3 to B-3 to allow a commercial parking lot serving a transmission repair business, overriding staff’s recommendation and despite pending code-enforcement citations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Ili/ Ili Plaza preliminary plat after dispute over emergency access, easement width and fire gate

Planning commission backs rezoning for East Travis lot to allow commercial parking despite staff opposition