SUBJECT
title
Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 796, Eastern Division, located at 1401 Guatemozin Street, from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Business District).
ZC-014-2026
District II
body
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
None.
BACKGROUND
Initiated by: Band and M Establishment Group Inc, Owner and Laura M. Valdez De La Garza, Applicant
Council District: II - Ricardo Richie Rangel, Jr.
Proposed Use: The proposed use is Commercial. The applicant did not specify the specific proposed use.
- The applicant was advised about applying for a conditional use permit (CUP), and decided to attempt the zone change instead of applying for the CUP.
Site: The site is currently occupied by No Limit Signs & Graphics
Citations, Warnings, and/or Complaints:
1. On November 2025, a resident called to express concerns that the proposed commercial use would worsen existing traffic conditions and disrupt the neighborhood’s peaceful environment.
2. On July 18, 2018, a complaint was filed reporting two businesses operating in the same building and work trucks parked in the neighborhood. A warning was issued for operating without a Certificate of Occupancy.
Surrounding Land Uses: To the north of the site is Guatemozin Street, Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas, Market Street Tennis Courts, Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel, Sweet Loring Frozen Yogurt, Champion Care Inc., single family residential uses, manufactured homes, and multi-family residential uses. To the east of the site is Seymour Avenue, vacant land, and single family residential use. To the south of the site is Aldama Street, single family residential uses, vacant land, and train tracks. To the west of the site is Loring Avenue, single family residential uses, vacant building, W W Cabello Canales CO. (Customs Broker), and Splash Party Zone.
Comprehensive Plan: The Future Land Use Map recognizes this area as High Density Residential.
https://www.openlaredo.com/planning/
2017_Comprehensive_Plan-Viva_Laredo.pdf#page=39
Transportation Plan: The Long Range Thoroughfare Plan identifies Guatemozin Street as a Local Street and Loring Avenue as a Local Street.
https://www.cityoflaredo.com/home/showpublisheddocument
/17680/638703100333370000
Letters sent to surrounding property owners: 23 In Favor: 0 Opposed: 0
Staff does not support the proposed zone change for the following reasons:
1. The proposed zone change will create an isolated zoning district since the site abuts a large area of R-3 zoning districts to the north, east, south, and west.
2. The proposed zone change may introduce incompatible uses in the surrounding area or neighborhood.
3. The proposed site is predominantly residential. While some commercial uses are present, they consist of less intensive uses, including the Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas, Market Street Tennis Courts, and Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel.
4. The existing site configuration includes limited head-in parking, which is prohibited for commercial uses and presents a potential for commercial vehicle overflow parking on surrounding streets.
Notice to the owner/applicant:
1. The approval of the zone change does not guarantee the issuance of a building permit and requires full compliance with all applicable permanent codes and regulations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Planning & Zoning Commission in a ___ to ___ vote recommended ___ of the zone change.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
IMPACT ANALYSIS
B-1. The purpose of the B-1 Limited Business District is to provide for business and commercial development serving a limited geographic area or neighborhood.
Is this change contrary to the established land use pattern?
The proposed site is abutting residential uses; however, there are some commercial uses north of the site like Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels and Sweet Loring Frozen Yogurt.
Would this change create an isolated zoning district unrelated to surrounding districts?
Yes, it will create an isolated zoning district since the proposed site is abutting R-3 zoning districts.
Will change adversely influence living conditions in the neighborhoods?
Possibly, the applicant did not identify the specific commercial use.
Are there substantial reasons why the property cannot be used in accordance with existing zoning?
The applicant did not specify the specific intended use.
end