McAllen, McAllen City Commission, Buddy Owens, rezoning, MKZ Nightclub, 2024 International Fire Code, general aviation, Miller International Airport, Kristen West, Javier Villalobos, Isaac Tawil, UDC, conditional use permit, sidewalk variance
Arnoldo Mata
McAllen TX - The McAllen City Commission held its workshop and regular meeting Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, disapproving a rezoning request for a truck parking operation near residential homes on Buddy Owens Boulevard, approving the 2024 International Fire Code, and advancing general aviation infrastructure improvements at Miller International Airport.
Workshop
The workshop was brief. Commissioners had no questions for staff and the commission recessed immediately into executive session before adjourning.
Rezoning Items
The commission approved five items from the Planning and Zoning Commission’s July 21 meeting without opposition:
Rezoning from C-3 to C-2 at 3300 S. Jackson, at the intersection of South Jackson and El Rancho Road
Rezoning from C-3 to R-2 at 251 State Highway 107, west of N. 23rd St.
Rezoning from C-3 to C-2 at 2517 State Highway 107
Conditional use permit renewal for a smoke shop at 5212 N. 10th St. at Zenya
Conditional use permit for a bar at 2022 Nolana Ave., the applicant’s first request
The commission also approved city-initiated rezonings of 212 parcels, bringing the city’s overall transition to the Unified Development Code to 17%.
Buddy Owens Rezoning Disapproved
The commission voted to disapprove a request to rezone property at 4716 Buddy Owens from R-1 to I-1 for use as an 18-wheeler transfer station with overnight layovers and repairs. Planning and Zoning and city staff both recommended disapproval, citing the property’s proximity to residential homes to the north and east.
Kristen West, who owns property directly adjacent to the north, addressed the commission in opposition.
“The property is in violation of its current single-family residential zoning and the property owners are already behaving as if the zoning change has been granted to them,” West said. “They are operating a truck parking club and a truck brokerage out of that property. In doing so, they have caused not only a devaluation of mine and my neighbors’ properties, they’ve caused physical damage to my property as well.”
West described ongoing disruptions including semi-trucks running engines and releasing air brakes at all hours, generators running for refrigerated trailers, tire removal and replacement, and tires being stacked against her fence posts causing structural damage.
“My home has been listed for sale. The feedback that has been received after every single showing is no one wants to live next to that,” West said. “I can’t sell my house. I can’t lease my house. No one wants to live there.”
City staff noted that enforcement actions are already pending at the property in municipal court for operating a business in a residentially zoned area, with those cases held in abeyance pending the outcome of the rezoning request. The city attorney also noted legal concerns with approving the request and recommended disapproval. Because the item carried a negative recommendation from Planning and Zoning, approval would have required a supermajority. The motion to disapprove carried.
MKZ Nightclub Conditional Use Permit Approved for Six Months
The commission removed the MKZ Nightclub conditional use permit item from the table after it had been sent back to Planning and Zoning for further review at a prior meeting. Planning and Zoning returned a recommendation for six-month approval, consistent with how the commission has handled other conditional use permits at locations with prior infractions. The commission approved the six-month permit for the nightclub at 2021 Orchid Ave.
General Aviation Infrastructure Contract Approved
The commission approved a contract for study, design, and bidding services for general aviation infrastructure improvements at Miller International Airport, including an extended general aviation ramp, utilities, and taxiway connector on the currently vacant west side of Tenth Street south of Cascade Park.
Staff said the project will strengthen disaster resilience and emergency response infrastructure, address capacity constraints, improve efficiency for international general aviation operations through the Federal Inspection Station, and enable long-term economic growth. The contract is funded 90% by FAA grant funds and 10% by passenger facility charges.
2024 International Fire Code Adopted
The commission approved an ordinance adopting the 2024 International Fire Code, replacing a previous edition. Fire Department staff said the updated code includes provisions to improve fire protection requirements, address emerging technologies and hazards, and clarify existing code provisions, ensuring consistency with nationally recognized fire safety standards.
Consent Agenda
The commission approved consent agenda items A through H, with item 2B tabled and items D and N pulled for questions. Item 2B, a contract for airport firefighting apparatus, was tabled while staff works to resolve funding issues. Items D and N were approved after commissioners raised questions about warranty coverage on the McAllen Creative Incubator AC repair contract and the scope of engineering inspection services for the FM2220 Ware Road Underpass project.
Variances
The commission approved a cul-de-sac variance for a gated community development.
The commission approved a variance not to provide an east-west collector street at S. 10th Street north of Military Highway, where staff noted the collector would dead-end into a curve.
A sidewalk variance request for a development near S. 10th Street was tabled after commissioners raised concerns about consistency with surrounding developments that had been required to provide sidewalks.
Board Appointments
The commission approved board and committee assignments for Commissioner Fallek, including the Convention Center food and beverage, downtown improvement, the IMAS Board and joint city and school committee. Commissioner Rios was assigned to the McAllen Chamber of Commerce board.
Future Agenda Items
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil announced a final budget workshop scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the golf course. He also noted that the next regular meeting workshop in two weeks will feature a presentation of results from a recent community survey.
Executive Session
The commission authorized the city manager and city attorney to proceed as described in executive session on item 8A regarding legal aspects of contracts.