Fulshear City Council considers specific use permit for Pit Stop gas station development

The Fulshear City Council convened on August 18, 2025, for a special meeting focused on key financial decisions and a proposed development project. The agenda included discussions on tax rates and the approval of a specific use permit for a new convenience store and gas station.

The meeting began with a discussion on the city's tax rate. Council members emphasized the need to ratify a rate and publicly vote on it, clarifying that the upcoming November election would not be involved in this decision. The council considered whether to adopt a voter approval rate or maintain the non-new revenue rate of 0.154219. Members expressed a desire to explore options for tax relief for citizens, particularly in light of recent financial pressures.

Following the tax discussion, the council moved on to item E, which involved the consideration of a specific use permit for a Pit Stop gas station and convenience store at Fulshear Junction. This proposal had been presented multiple times previously, and the council received updated renderings and site plans for review.

Planning and zoning recommendations were highlighted, including the need for pedestrian connectivity and an 8-foot masonry wall to buffer the site from adjacent residential areas. The council noted that while the developers had met many recommendations, some architectural elements would need to comply with downtown district standards.

Council members raised concerns about the number of gas pumps proposed for the site. The developers suggested four pumps, arguing that this number would prevent traffic congestion and accommodate customer needs. However, some council members advocated for reducing the number of pumps to three, citing the neighborhood setting and the desire to emphasize the convenience store aspect over the fueling component.

The developers defended their proposal, stating that four pumps were necessary to ensure efficient service and accommodate diesel fuel options for trucks. They expressed a commitment to addressing the council's concerns while maintaining operational efficiency.

The meeting concluded with a clear direction for further discussions and potential adjustments to the proposed plans, ensuring that community interests are prioritized in the development process. The council plans to revisit these topics in future workshops to finalize decisions on both the tax rate and the gas station permit.