McAllen City Commission Tables Variance Over Adjacent Property Owner Notification Concerns, Awards Audit Contract, Proclaims Powerlifting Champion at June 8 Meeting

McAllen City Commission, Variances, Auditing Contract, Drainage, Gustavo Escandon, Library Foundation, McAllen TX

Arnoldo Mata

McAllen TX - The McAllen City Commission held its regular meeting Monday, June 8, 2026, with the most substantive discussion centering on a variance request that raised broader questions about how the city notifies adjacent property owners when development decisions affect their land. The commission also awarded a new auditing contract, approved several drainage and infrastructure items, proclaimed a powerlifting state champion, and named a new library foundation.

Variance Tabled: Adjacent Property Owner Notification

The commission tabled a variance request for the proposed Hernandez Acres Subdivision at 14601 N. Trosper Road after a pointed exchange about whether neighboring property owners should be notified when a variance effectively shifts a development obligation onto their land.

The applicant was seeking relief from providing a required east-west quarter-mile collector street. City planning staff presented a compromise: instead of requiring the developer to dedicate 60 feet of right-of-way through the middle of the property, the city would accept 30 feet along the north property line, with the expectation that the adjacent property owner to the north would provide the remaining 30 feet when their land is eventually developed.

One commissioner immediately raised a concern. “When these variances are given and you’re moving it like that to where the adjacent property owner is then under an obligation to provide that as well, is there any notice given to the adjacent property owners?” the commissioner asked.

Staff acknowledged there was not. “It’s just one of those development-driven things,” staff replied.

“I don’t like variances when they affect somebody else, or it’s gonna cost our residents in the future,” the commissioner said.

Another commissioner agreed. “We can’t benefit somebody at the detriment of somebody else, and that’s really what we’d be doing without them knowing what we’re doing.”

The city attorney weighed in, noting that while there are statutory notice requirements for variance applications, those notices do not necessarily convey the specific outcome of negotiations or how the city’s decision might affect neighboring parcels. “The notice requirements under the local government code require us to provide notice that a variance has been applied for and the property owner has the right to respond,” the attorney said. “But they don’t know what the conversation is going to be or what the net effect of the decision will have on them.”

Commissioners acknowledged the adjacent property owner might actually benefit from eventually having a street, but felt the principle of transparency still required outreach. “I still think he should know,” one commissioner said.

The city attorney offered to explore whether additional language could be incorporated into variance notices going forward. “Certainly no harm in offering some additional transparency. We’ll see if we can work on a process to accomplish that,” the attorney said.

The commission voted to table the item to allow staff time to contact the adjacent property owner before any decision is made.

J&A Ranch Variance: North-South Collector Denied

A related variance debate played out on a separate item at 11505 N. Bryan Road, where the commission approved two of three requested variances but denied relief from providing a required north-south collector street.

One commissioner raised long-term concerns about the city’s thoroughfare plan in the rapidly developing northwest McAllen corridor. “On our thoroughfare plan, you know, which is all those nice squared-out black lines on northwest McAllen, we’re gonna start binding ourselves if we don’t give the right of way,” the commissioner said, invoking a decades-old cautionary example. “I keep having these images from the ‘80s and early ‘90s of 29th Street between Daffodil and Vine, where the big transmission poles are and part of the street was curved and part was not. And that’s where there was a disconnect in terms of right of way.”

The commissioner added that given development pressure in the area, the city should think ahead. “This area looks like it’s starting to get populated and subdivided. Let’s not put ourselves in a box.” The commission approved variances one and three, waiving the required commercial alley in favor of a service drive and approving the block length, while denying variance two, preserving the north-south collector requirement.

Auditing Contract Awarded to Local Firm

The commission unanimously approved a five-year auditing services contract for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to Burton, McCumber & Longoria, replacing Weaver, which had been extended for an extra year due to delays in the city’s ERP implementation.

City staff noted that six firms submitted proposals and that Burton, McCumber & Longoria scored highest overall across all evaluation categories. “Their fees were the most competitive,” staff confirmed, while noting price was one of several weighted factors rather than the sole determinant.

Commissioner Zamora, who sits on the Audit Investment Committee, asked specifically during that body’s review whether the firm had municipal government experience. Staff confirmed the firm has worked with Hidalgo County and other large public entities in the area, as well as local school districts.

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil noted the city makes a practice of rotating audit firms to ensure fresh eyes on the financials. “We do every couple of years try to rotate those services so there’s always fresh eyes looking at our financials,” staff explained. The Audit Investment Committee voted unanimously to recommend the award.

Gustavo Escandon Day Proclaimed

Commissioner Tony Aguirre read a proclamation declaring Gustavo Escandon Day in honor of the McAllen Memorial High School senior who became the school’s first-ever male powerlifting state champion at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association State Championship in Abilene.

Competing in the 198-pound division, Escandon posted a championship total of 1,735 pounds — 675 in squats, 425 in bench press, and 635 in deadlift — and was named Outstanding Deadlift Lifter of the State of Texas. Over three years, he set school records in the 242-pound, 220-pound, and 198-pound divisions while also competing in football and track and field.

“Having the academic and athletic ability, it’s challenging, and it takes that commitment, and that’s what we’re all about in this community,” Commissioner Aguirre said before reading the proclamation.

Drainage Contract Awarded

The commission approved a $364,886.34 contract to Global Construction of McAllen for the Lindberg Avenue and 6th Street Drainage Improvement Project, with a contract time of 90 days. The project includes approximately 500 linear feet of 15-inch slotted drain, 1,450 linear feet of 15-inch storm pipe, 2,135 feet of 18-inch curb and gutter replacement, and associated pavement, driveway, and sidewalk work. Engineer of record Meldon & Hunt and city staff recommended the award to the lowest responsible bidder after conducting due diligence on the contractor’s prior performance.

FM2220 Underground Trail Passing

The commission authorized staff to negotiate scope and fees with B2Z Engineering of Mission, Texas, for construction engineering inspection services for the FM2220 underground trail passing project, an underpass approximately 300 feet north of Houston Avenue that will provide pedestrian connectivity between the McAllen Convention Center and West Side Park.

Additional Variance Actions

Two variances were approved for the proposed Alhambra on 10th Phase II Subdivision at 11401 N. 10th St., a 67-lot residential development. The commission approved a reduced internal road right-of-way of 50 feet in lieu of 60 and a block length variance, both recommended by Planning and Zoning.

For the Ballesteros Subdivision at 2201 S. Bentsen Road, a three-lot residential development, the commission approved variances for reduced right-of-way dedication on South Bentsen Road and for not providing sidewalks on the south side of the interior street, but denied the variance for the cul-de-sac requirement, directing the developer to modify the last lot to comply with the fire access paving standard.

For the Quinta Mazatlan development at 2801 S. 10th St., the commission approved two variances, reduced right-of-way dedication on South 10th Street and permission to develop a lot without direct frontage on a public street. Staff noted South 10th is already at maximum build-out width in that stretch and does not anticipate further expansion.

Utility Easement Abandoned

The commission approved an ordinance abandoning a 10-foot utility easement at 7901 N. 10th St. within the District Phase I Subdivision. Mayor Javier Villalobos moved things along briskly. “I’d like to get rid of easements,” he said before calling for the motion.

McAllen Public Library Foundation Named

The commission approved the name McAllen Public Library Foundation for the city’s new library foundation, which will pursue sponsorships to provide scholarships for students lacking funding to pursue higher education. Library Director Kate presented the recommendation. “Can’t get any clearer than that one: McAllen Public Library Foundation,” Mayor Villalobos said before the vote.

Tawil took a moment to recognize the library director’s work. “Kate has done a tremendous job at our McAllen Library. The library has been really busy,” Tawil said.

Quarterly Investment Report Accepted

The commission accepted the quarterly investment report for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The city’s portfolio had an ending book value of $485,113,723 and a weighted average yield to maturity of 3.86%. The report was reviewed and recommended by the Audit Investment Committee on June 3.

City Manager Tawil commended the finance team. “Sonia and her team downstairs in finance have done a really good job. We are being much more active in paying attention to cash flow needs and making sure that we are taking advantage of interest rates that exist today, for fear that they may change in the near future,” Tawil said. “They’ve got us well ahead of where we thought we would be right now with investment income.”

Advisory Board Appointments

The commission approved a slate of advisory board appointments. Commissioner Zamora reappointed James Collins and Rick Guerra to Friends of Quinta and Christopher Davis to the Historic Preservation Council. Commissioner Rios appointed Barry Patel to Friends of Quinta. Mayor Villalobos appointed Jose Trevino to the Community Development Council and two members to the library board.

Future Agenda Items

One commissioner requested an update on design progress for the traffic department building on a city-acquired property, and a separate update on AEP’s quarterly use of city property.

Executive Session

The commission voted to instruct the city manager and city attorney to proceed on one real property matter discussed in executive session. No action was required on the other two executive session items.