Waxahachie Approves Massive 1200 Acre Development Amid Infrastructure Concerns

A massive new development project in Ellis County is set to reshape the region, with plans for a 10 to 15-year master community covering 1,200 acres and featuring 2,600 residential lots. This initiative, approved by the city of Waxahachie as part of an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) effort, is expected to bring approximately 7,000 new residents once fully built out. However, the ambitious project raises significant concerns regarding infrastructure readiness.

Located southwest of Lake Waxahachie, the development is bordered by Howard Road and US Highway 77, both of which are currently two-lane highways. The lack of established four-lane highways or improved access routes has sparked worries about traffic congestion. Regional data from the Texas Department of Transportation indicates that roads like Howard Road are already experiencing increased traffic without major upgrades.

Local residents have voiced concerns about the potential for unsustainable road upkeep, especially with projected traffic surges from nearby developments like New Haven. The situation could lead to the need for eminent domain purchases, disrupting local homeowners and undermining community benefits.

Analytical projections suggest that without critical interventions, such as a new connector road from Highway 287 to Howard Road, daily commute times could rise by 20 to 30%. This increase poses risks to public safety, resource management, and economic productivity.

The ongoing discussions highlight a broader issue in Ellis County regarding the management of public improvement districts (PIDs) and municipal utility districts (MUDs). Recent decisions by the Ellis County Commissioner Court and the Waxahachie City Council to oppose new MUDs reflect community concerns about additional tax burdens and the need for better coordination between county and city officials. If collaboration does not improve, the anticipated efficiency and cost-saving measures in the 2026 budget could be jeopardized by unchecked population growth, despite a recent slump in DFW home sales and a significant increase in housing inventory.