By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members took no action on a businessman’s request to rezone a property on Fletcher Drive from residential to commercial but pledged to take up the issue again at a meeting later this month.
The council considered the rezoning request during its most recent regular meeting on July 28.
The discussion began with a public hearing on the zoning change request made by Donato B. Guajardo III, representing Guajardo Family Properties, LLC, to change the zoning from multiple-family district (R-M) to local commercial district (C-1). The rezoning request is for a property at 114 Fletcher Drive, the site of the former G.W. Cox Funeral Home.
Mayor Al Arreola opened the public hearing and recognized Guajardo.
Guajardo told the council he was seeking the zoning change so he could create an event center at the site of the former funeral home.
“We would like to host families after having the funeral. We would like to occupy the building with families to celebrate a meal after the funeral services at no cost. This is open to any family going through funeral services, at our funeral home, which is Trinity, and also at our competitor, which is Sunset,” Guajardo said.
Guajardo said the facility could also be used to host fundraisers for families in need who cannot afford funeral services, such as car washes or plate sales.
He said the venue would also be available to rent for events such as quinceañeras and baby showers.
Charles McNeal, who said he lives in the 200 block of Fletcher Drive, told the council he appreciated Guajardo’s efforts to improve Del Rio but was concerned about evening events.
“I work long shifts, and I sleep at night, so my concern is also the actions of those people . . . If alcohol is involved, people make bad decisions,” McNeal said.
McNeal said he was worried about noise, traffic and the possibility of intoxicated drivers damaging vehicles or endangering nearby residents.
Guajardo responded that all events would be supervised, security would be required, guests would be encouraged to use the facility’s enclosed parking area and all music would remain inside the building.
After the public hearing closed, council members began discussing the proposed zoning ordinance.
Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. asked City Planning and Zoning Director Janice Pokrant whether an occupancy limit had been established for the facility.
Pokrant said that determination would be made during the building permit process if the rezoning request is approved.
Arreola then asked whether construction had already begun.
Pokrant said city officials discovered work underway after seeing the project on Facebook and issued a notice of noncompliance.
She said the owner told the city he was unaware a zoning change and building permit were required before beginning work.
Guajardo acknowledged he did not realize he needed city approval before making non-structural improvements and said the only events held at the building so far had been private “test runs.”
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez asked whether Guajardo had been cited for code violations.
Pokrant said the city generally seeks voluntary compliance before issuing citations and noted Guajardo applied for the required zoning change shortly after receiving the notice.
City Planner Eivon Garcia told the council five nearby property owners submitted notices opposing the rezoning request, two supported it, one submitted no comment and three notices were returned.
Garcia also said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval and city staff supported the request because part of the property is already zoned commercial while the remainder is zoned residential.
Jorge Suday, who joined the meeting by Zoom and said he owns several nearby properties, urged the council to reject the request.
He said he was speaking on behalf of 12 nearby households concerned about noise, traffic and late-night events.
“This is not about opposing business or economic development. We value responsible growth that benefits Del Rio. However, responsible growth should also respect residents who are already here,” Suday said.
After Suday spoke, Guajardo noted Suday’s parents own an event center in the area.
Hernandez said his primary concern was not the proposed event center itself but the long-term impact of changing the property’s zoning.
He noted that once the property is rezoned, future owners could use it for other commercial purposes beyond an event venue.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez made a motion to approve the ordinance, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Arreola said he believed additional discussions with neighboring property owners could help address concerns before the council voted.
Hernandez said that if the council voted that night, he would oppose the request but was willing to reconsider after receiving additional information.
Councilmen LeRoy Briones and Elsa Reyes both said they would abstain from voting on the issue.
Gutierrez told Guajardo she liked the concept but shared concerns that rezoning the property could allow other commercial uses in the future that nearby residents might oppose.
After consulting one of the city’s contracted attorneys, council members learned they could postpone action without approving or denying the request.
Hernandez then moved to place the item on the council’s Aug. 25 agenda and direct staff to gather additional information, including detailed plans, occupancy numbers and the project’s potential impact. Gutierrez seconded the motion, which passed 5-0, with Briones and Reyes abstaining.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
