BY KATHY WILLIAMS

HERALD DEMOCRAT

SHERMAN -- Covenant Church got all its requests granted when the Sherman Planning and Zoning Commission met Tuesday.

The church had asked permission to build a 112-square-foot sign that stands 8 feet tall and has a 15-foot setback. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the variances.

After considerable discussion, the Commission voted against allowing a zone change at 4530 S. Travis from C-1 to C-2. Both are commercial zones, but C-2 allows for light manufacturing and auto, boat and motorcycle display and repair. C-1 draws a line at such activities as auto detailing rather than repair. The zone change, and a subsequent specific use permit would have permitted Alfredo Portillo to operate an auto repair shop at that address.

The Commission decided that the area is close enough to downtown that "heavier" uses of land would take redevelopment in a direction that departs from the city's Master Plan. The vote was 2-5 with commissioners Robin Atherton and Brad Morgan arguing that the property historically has been a garage or filling station and currently is used as an auto detailing shop. They said the land with the old filling station on it will be difficult to sell or develop for another use.

In other business the Commission approved two requests from Bluestone Partners in O'Hanlon Ranch Estates. The first is for a specific use permit to allow a parking lot in a residential area at 2917 Overland Trail. The Commission approved the request unanimously despite an appeal by a neighbor that commissioners either deny the request or require the parking lot to be attached to another on adjacent property.

The second request was to replat 2505 Sedalia Circle, 2912 and 2916 Sedalia Trail. Commissioners also approved that plat unanimously.