Schulenburg City Law Suspended To Help Family After House Fire

An unusually large crowd showed up to a meeting of the Schulenburg Board of Zoning Adjustments on Monday to support a local family who lost their home to a fire two months ago.

Fernando and Marcy Juarez woke up to flames inside their home during the early morning hours of Tuesday, Aug. 11. They escaped with their son Benito, their pet dog and only the pajamas they wore to bed the night before. Fernando, a local craftsman who builds outdoor furniture, and Marcy, a popular local seamstress, ran two businesses out of their home. They lost everything in the fire, including two vehicles. The home was not insured.

The Juarez home sat south of the old Stanzel Airplane Factory on US 77 at the south side of town. The Juarez family also owns an empty lot across the highway and a short distance to the north. They recently moved an RV onto that lot, where they plan to live while rebuilding their home.

“It’s temporary,” said Marcy Juarez at the hearing on Monday. “We lost our house and right now we’re living with a friend. It’s been two months, and we just want a little space for ourselves while we rebuild.”

Schulenburg ordinances prohibit people from living in RVs or travel trailers on property zoned for residential use. The Juarez family asked the City’s zoning adjustments board for a temporary variance to that rule. Such meetings don’t normally attract large crowds. But on Monday, 19 people showed up to the hearing. No one opposed the variance, and five people spoke in support of the family.

“They lost both businesses, not only their home,” said Rebecca Dixon, a friend with whom the Juarez family has been living for the last two months. “They’ve cleaned up the area that burned down and they’re trying to get on their feet. All they’re asking for is a little bit of help.”

Edward Thomas, a neighbor of the Juarez family, said he supports the variance.

“They lost their house, two vehicles and their livelihood,” Thomas said. “I’ve lived across from them ever since they moved in. I’ve never seen more industrious, self-reliant folks in my life. I’m proud to have them for my neighbors. These are some really good people. They have worked really hard for what they have and now it’s gone. I think this community owes them the opportunity to get back on their feet and to get back to where they were at.”

C.W. Leonard, a retired police officer who lives in Schulenburg, said he also supports the variance.

“For 15 years they’ve been here,” Leonard said. “They owned their home. They’re taxpayers. It’s pretty tragic. I know there are guidelines, but I know you can give a variance sometimes. Under these circumstances, with some kind of time limit, I think you can give this variance.”

Zoning adjustments board member Kathy Orsak asked Marcy Juarez how long the family expects to live in the trailer. Juarez said they may not need to live in it for very long. She said her family recently found a small home they plan to move onto the lot. They are now waiting for a mover to relocate the house.

“We might have a house in the next couple of weeks,” she said.

Marcy Juarez said the family would probably not need more than six months. She said the RV would be moved off the property when they no longer need it.

Board member Chelsea Moeller asked if the family considered living in a local RV park temporarily. Marcy Juarez said they would have to pay rent at an RV park. The family is trying to save all the money they can right now, she said.

Orsak made a motion to grant a variance allowing the RV for one year. It passed unanimously, which earned an applause from the audience.

Earlier in the hearing, Marcy spoke of a bout of depression she suffered after losing a dear friend shortly before the fire and then even worse depression after losing the home. She called her family’s escape from the fire a “miracle.” She thanked the community for the support.

“I had so many friends call and tell me not to give up,” she said. “We’re not going to give up.”

The Schulenburg City Council met after the hearing. Zoning adjustments board chairwoman Ona Marak presented the board’s decision to the Council.

“The circumstances surrounding this request are understandable due to the family losing everything in a fire,” Marak said.

Council acknowledged the board’s decision. City Administrator Tami Walker said decisions by the zoning adjustments board are final and do not require approval from the Council.