Killeen City Council considers multiple rezoning requests for residential and business uses

The Killeen City Council convened on July 15, 2025, to address several zoning requests and community concerns during a public hearing. The meeting began with a proposal from Tracy Epting on behalf of Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., seeking to rezone approximately 0.52 acres from a single-family residential district (R1) to a local business district (B3). This change would facilitate the construction of an accessory building at 3105 Longview Drive by reducing the required side and rear yard setbacks. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval, and no objections were raised from surrounding property owners.

Next, the council reviewed a request from Jason Jinx representing Alejandro Gabriel Llorente Alvarado to rezone 0.21 acres at 2018 Cedar Hill Drive from a business professional district (B1) back to a multifamily residential district (R3F). The property had previously been rezoned in 2019 for office use, which did not materialize. The current owner intends to maintain the existing fourplex structure, and the request was also met with no opposition from nearby residents.

The third item on the agenda involved a proposal from Gary W. Purser Jr. on behalf of True Fountain LLC to rezone approximately 5.251 acres from B3 to R2, aiming to develop duplex lots at 6306 Tremere Road and 6309 Turkey Trot Road. This request marked the fourth attempt to rezone the property since 2019, with previous requests facing disapproval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the council. Staff recommended disapproval of the current request, citing concerns about limiting neighborhood commercial opportunities in the area, which is designated for such uses on the future land use map.

During the meeting, citizen comments were also heard, with one resident emphasizing the importance of advancing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) project and questioning the financial arrangements with Bartlett Electric regarding the Chaparral pump station, which was built for Turnbull Ranch.

Overall, the council's discussions reflected ongoing efforts to balance residential needs with commercial development in Killeen, as well as addressing community infrastructure concerns. The next steps for the proposed zoning changes will depend on further deliberations and potential votes by the council in upcoming meetings.