Zoning regulations topping City Council agenda in Tuesday meeting

The Big Spring City Council will consider several proposed amendments to the city’s zoning regulations when they meet Tuesday evening.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person in the council chambers located at 307 E. Fourth Street; or via local channel 17 through Suddenlink, or on the city’s website at mybigspring.com/224/Channel-17-Live.

Proposed amendments to Big Spring’s zoning regulations regarding carports, recreational vehicles and mobile or manufactured home and short-term rental properties will be considered during the meeting.

Regarding carports, the amendments would affect the zoning requirements for front-yard residential carports. Carports may only be placed in the front yard of a residence by applying to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The proposed amendment would remove a requirement for a property owner to notify neighbors when they apply to the ZBA to build a carport in the front yard of their home. The amendment would also reduce the opening height of carports granted such exemptions from 11 ½ feet to eight feet. Other changes would regulate minimum distances of the carport to property lines, as well as the size of such carports.

The proposed amendment regarding manufactured and mobile homes and RVs would prohibit the use of mobile homes and travel trailers as permanent residences in the city limits, with the exception that those currently being legally used as residences would be grandfathered and allowed to remain, “but shall not be replaced with another mobile home or placed in another location in the city under any circumstance,” according to the proposed change.

The amendment also prohibits the use of manufactured homes as offices or business buildings, except as offices