Commission grants conditional use permit for reptile education exhibit at Paseo Encinal home with oversight and one‑year review

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional‑use permit to allow a reptile education and viewing exhibit as a home occupation at 1678 Paseo Encinal Drive, granting a provisional authorization subject to conditions intended to protect public safety and neighborhood character.

Planning staff presented the application and said the property is a 7,200‑square‑foot developed city lot in an R‑2 single‑family district. The applicant, Cynthia Villa Penalver, told commissioners she plans to move her personal reptile collection into an on‑site studio and host educational, appointment‑only viewings. Villa Penalver said she will not keep venomous reptiles, that animals will remain in secure enclosures and that either she or her husband will always be present during visits.

Commissioners and staff raised safety and nuisance concerns, including whether state agencies must be notified depending on species and the potential for parking and noise impacts if the operation expanded. Chief Amy (identified in the hearing as head of animal control) told commissioners that animal control will work with the operator and that Texas Parks and Wildlife should be consulted if certain species are involved. Villa Penalver said she will post rules for visitors and will consider a signed liability waiver for attendees.

The commission approved the CUP with multiple conditions: compliance with applicable state regulations regarding species; oversight and coordination with the city’s animal control unit; parking controls to prevent blocked driveways or neighborhood congestion; and a provisional one‑year permit with a mandatory review at the end of that period to evaluate complaints, parking and neighborhood impacts. Commissioners also made clear that any expansion beyond the approved appointment‑only, small‑group model could trigger revocation proceedings.