ODESSA, Texas — For most people, buying a house is the biggest investment they will make. Behind that, well, probably your car. Many Odessans who live in older houses don’t have enough space to protect their prized possession from weather or other factors, but that could change.
The City of Odessa is close to allowing some Odessans to build carports. The Odessa City Council will look to finalize the specifics of the changes soon, with one key factor leading the way.
Six-figure trucks can’t fit into 1950’s garages.
“Vehicles were a lot different in those days – not as long, not as wide, not as tall," said Odessa Mayor Javier Joven.
The City of Odessa is working to allow carports in certain areas of town that have made their requests heard.
“It’s not unreasonable what their ask is," Mayor Joven said. "They’re just asking for something reasonable that they can work with. They said give us something versus what we have now, which is nothing. And it’s a case-by-case.”
A carport that is consistent with the house is key for aesthetics.
“This gives people a lot of options, try to do it reasonably where they can afford it, but also aesthetically," Mayor Joven said. "That’s the biggest point – aesthetics, aesthetics, aesthetics. These [are] not restrictions, but the thing is, is everybody [is] always concerned about the aesthetics in their neighborhoods and their homes and valuations, and we have to take that into consideration.”
Jeff Fisher and his city staff brought forth the recommendations that will soon give Odessans the process to follow.
“This is some of the things that this council is very vigilant about wanting to make sure that everybody’s getting the information and nobody’s being turned away, and they’re not walking away with a ‘no’ answer but giving a response in how you address these issues and have the knowledge and the tools that they need to be able to do it properly," Mayor Joven said.
Mayor Joven noted that any concerns deal with making sure Odessans work with the city to make sure it’s done right.
“That it’s going to be considerate of the neighborhood, that it’s going to look aesthetically pleasing, that it will be structurally safe and they will stay within the regulations and the codes of the setbacks – from the curb, back of curb and side-to-side house," Mayor Joven said. "That they will follow and have quality material that’s affordable, but yet look presentable.”
It is 2023 after all, and the goal is to look like it.
“We have to start accommodating what we’re seeing vehicles in today that are a lot bigger, more expensive – it’s a huge amount of investment – and the requests are very, very common sense," Mayor Joven said.
Mayor Joven mentioned that they are trying to find the option that works for everyone when it comes to implementing this carport process. He added that they want Odessans to have protection, but again, the city has to account for property values.