Two proposed zoning changes and one special use permit granted by the Mineola Planning and Zoning Commission Monday promise to add to the housing inventory on the south side of town.

All three matters – plus a third zoning change – must still pass muster by the city council Jan. 27.

Two of the items were contested, one by people in the neighborhood and one by the commission’s interpretation of state law that forbids “spot zoning.”

The special use permit to build a duplex in the 700 block of S. Newsom followed lengthy discussion, with several neighboring property owners opposing the permit, citing limited space on the narrow property and noting most of the surrounding area is single-family homes.

Changing one property from commercial to single-family drew two opposition votes from commission members but passed on a 3-2 vote.

Timoteo Jose lives at 603 S. Newsom and owns a lot across the street at 610 S. Newsom.

Jose’s home is in a single-family zone while the vacant lot is in a commercial zone.

Fire Marshal David Madsen explained that spot zoning is not legal unless certain conditions are met, such as a change in conditions of the area, causing a substantial detriment, whether it is different from the area and that the current zoning is not suitable.

The other change was also from commercial to multi-family, which led commission Chairman Gary McKinley to speak to the city’s comprehensive plan that is now 20 years old.

It was predicated on the area south of Freeman St. becoming commercial, but that has not happened.

Instead, housing seems to be on the upswing in the area.

While several homes along S. Newsom have been razed, they have not been replaced with commercial enterprises.

P&Z member Demethrius Boyd suggested that if the plan could be redone, the area probably would not have been zoned for commercial development.

The city is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, which Madsen said could take a year.

The commission approved a change from commercial to medium density in the 800 block of S. Newsom for Brady Chambers. He proposes to build two town houses (four housing units) on the 100 by 200-foot lot on the west side of Newsom.

He explained that there are residences on the north and south sides of the lot, while the east side of Newsom is zoned for single family.

Chambers also is planning to develop town homes a few blocks to the east.

The fourth area to be addressed is along Hwy. 69, just west of the rodeo grounds off US Hwy. 69, and is also being proposed to become zoned for multi-family, described by Madsen as quad-plexes.

The triangle-shaped property is adjacent to the Mineola Club Lake, and its west property line is the city limits.

It will require city water and sewer to be extended to the property.