The Robinson City Council voted to change the land-use designation of a 4.04-acre parcel at 711 South Robinson Drive from commercial to high-density residential but later denied the companion rezoning that would have placed the site in the MF-2 (Multifamily 2) district.

During public hearings, planning staff recommended against the requests, saying the parcel sits in a largely commercial area and that surrounding commercial uses could create conflicts for residential uses (noise, light and pollution). Planning staff noted there was no existing multifamily zoning in the immediate area and that the request could change the development pattern in a predominantly commercial corridor.

Applicant Jeff Brown, who identified himself as a lifelong Robinson resident and developer, told council he planned a 20-units-per-acre project (his application cited MF-2 density), estimated the development at roughly $10 million and said the proposal would include landscaping, buffers, on-site management and amenities such as a clubhouse and playground. Brown and several council supporters said the city needs workforce housing to retain employees for new businesses coming to the area.

Opponents and some council members raised traffic and safety concerns because the site has only a single entrance/exit and likely needs TxDOT review for driveway and turning restrictions on US-77; one council member noted a preference for a second access point and questioned the feasibility of safe ingress/egress if TxDOT requires right-turn-only movements. Staff cautioned that stormwater/drainage constraints could limit actual unit counts below the theoretical 20 units per acre.

Council discussion was divided. Supporters emphasized the need for housing near employment centers and the opportunity to redevelop a longtime blighted storage/junkyard parcel. Opponents emphasized compatibility concerns and the lack of existing multifamily zoning nearby. Council adopted the land-use change ordinance (changing the classification to high-density residential) but later declined to rezone the property to MF-2; the recorded vote on the rezoning failed with a 5-2 result as read into the record.

Because the land-use change was approved but the rezoning failed, the site's land-use designation is now high-density residential on the city's plan, but the zoning map remains commercial. Any developer seeking multifamily construction will need to return to the council with a zoning application that addresses site access, stormwater and compatibility concerns, or propose different zoning consistent with the existing commercial land-use designation.