At its meeting, the City of Laredo Planning Commission voted to support staff’s recommendation and not approve a rezoning request to change Lot 12, Block 446 (address listed in the record as both 202 West San Carlos Street and 2202 West San Carlos Street) from R‑3 (residential) to B‑1 (local business), a request filed to regularize operation of a grocery store and its front food kiosk.

The owner and applicant, Sergio Valentin Briones, told the commission the store has operated at the location since 1981 and that the kiosk has provided daily meals and groceries for neighborhood customers who often lack vehicles. "We sell close to a million dollars, so there's a lot of support for for the store," Briones said, describing local demand and online followings for the business.

Planning staff told commissioners the parcel sits inside an otherwise uniform residential area and staff does not support a permanent zone change to business zoning. Staff said the kiosk has historically operated under a conditional use permit (CUP) and that — when operators change — the CUP must be amended to name the new operator. A staff presenter summarized written opposition as raising three basic concerns: traffic, inadequate parking and odors. "The opposition letters that came in mentioned three basic reasons that they were in opposition: traffic, that there was not enough parking at the location, and ... odors," the staff member said.

Commission discussion focused on whether the kiosk should be handled through a CUP amendment and the building inspection/certificate of occupancy (CO) process rather than a zone change. Staff told the commission the CUP for the kiosk had been issued previously in the names of "Ralph A. and Maria C. Haas," and that the apparent issue this year stemmed from operator change and CO inspections. The staff recommendation presented to commissioners was to deny the requested rezoning and instead direct the applicant to pursue an amendment to the existing CUP and the CO process for the kiosk operator.

Briones said he had obtained annual permits for the kiosk during his eight years owning the store and was surprised the current application for a new operator was denied. He described the kiosk as small and positioned in front of the store and said it serves nearby auto repair employees who rely on it for lunch.

After public hearing remarks and questions, a motion to close the public hearing and support staff’s recommendation passed. The commission record shows at least one abstention noted by a commissioner who said they had arrived late and were not present for the full discussion. The motion to support staff recommendation carried and the requested rezoning was not advanced.

Outcome and next steps: The commission’s action means the proposed permanent rezoning from R‑3 to B‑1 was not approved. Staff advised the property owner that the more appropriate path — given past permits and the residential context — is to apply to amend the conditional use permit to name the current operator and to complete any CO inspections required for the kiosk operator before resuming operations.

Votes at the meeting and public-comment record: the staff report indicated three written letters in opposition to the kiosk; the owner said there are roughly three letters against and substantial community support for the store. The commission vote record in the transcript reflects the motion to support staff recommendation passed; individual roll-call votes were not all identified by name in the public transcript.