Commission approves rezoning for mixed-use project at South Central Boulevard and Highway 77 to allow multifamily and commercial uses

The Planning & Zoning Commission on Sept. 2 voted to rezone approximately 17.23 acres to a revised planned development (PD 108 R 2) to permit mixed-use development combining multifamily housing and commercial uses.

City staff introduced case ZAsInZebraCAsInCat25-21 and described the site along South Central Boulevard and North Highway 77. The property’s underlying zoning and prior approvals included an earlier PD approval for an age-restricted multifamily project previously shown at roughly 168 units. The applicant, Darien Shanahan, told the commission the prior senior-only proposal "didn't pencil out" with lenders and that the new mixed-use plan increases density and adds retail, restaurant, a farmer’s market and clinic uses to create a vertically integrated mixed-use development.

Shanahan said the current concept increases density to about 300 apartments, includes a parking garage, and will add landscaping and a row of evergreen trees — he said the developer plans to plant 900 evergreen trees at a minimum height of 15 feet to screen neighbors. Staff noted the submitted concept shows a required minimum separation from the eastern property line to structures on the site of about 100 feet, retaining walls and screening devices (masonry columns with wrought iron and shrubs), and standard landscaping (3-inch caliper trees spaced every 30 feet) with additional plantings shown on the plan.

A nearby resident, Claude Campbell, said he was not concerned about overlooking but raised traffic concerns, noting a recent 15-minute delay near Red Oak Blythe School and warned that 300 apartments could worsen congestion on Highway 77 during school traffic. Staff and commissioners discussed traffic mitigation: turn lanes are shown on both Highway 342 and Highway 77 and the project must secure any required TxDOT permits; staff said a turn-lane solution was preferred over installing a traffic signal because of TxDOT spacing rules, but final requirements depend on TxDOT permitting and traffic analysis.

Commissioners asked how the city would ensure the mixed-use pads are built and not left undeveloped after apartments are constructed. Staff explained the PD is for a single-lot development and permits would be submitted for the entire site; certificates of occupancy would not be granted unless required PD elements (buildings, retail pads and amenities) are provided under the approved plan.

Commissioner motioned to approve the rezoning as presented; the motion passed by voice vote and the commission recorded the item as approved. The rezoning will now proceed to City Council for final action.