by Nicole Bradford
Pearland’s Zoning Board of Adjustment denied a request to reinstate an exception for a triplex in the Old Town District.
The board voted 3-2 not to reinstate a previous exception for a three-family residence at 2223 North San Antonio Avenue, where a triplex predated Old Town zoning but sat vacant long enough to trigger city requirements.
“It’s actually classified under the dwelling multifamily use, and that use is not permitted within the zoning of the (Old Town Residential) district,” said Patrick Bauer of the city’s Community Development Department. “The use has been abandoned on the site for more than six months, and the (city code) requires when a use has been abandoned, you either bring the site into conformance with a permitted use or the applicant has the option to apply to the board (to resume the prior use).”
Annexed in 1959, the property and structure were zoned as multifamily until the zoning was changed to Old Town Residential in 2006.
City staff recommended approval of the request based on the site history and the owner’s plans for improvements. But neighbor Candy Brantley spoke in opposition, saying the lot is frequently overgrown with trash piled up outside.
“Then he’s going to bring families in and it’s going to continue to look like that,” she said. “It’s only going to get worse when you start renting to two or three families all in one location.”
The Zoning Board of Adjustment typically meets on the first Thursday to hear and decide special exceptions to zoning ordinances.
