The Waxahachie City Council on Aug. 5 approved a planned‑development zoning change and associated development agreement for the Crossroads 287 mixed‑use project and included a council‑added condition requiring the developer to install a deceleration lane on Business 287 prior to certificate‑of‑occupancy issuance if the city determines one is warranted.

Trenton (city planning staff) described the proposal as a mixed‑use project including approximately 35,000 square feet of medical office space (presented in staff slides as Baylor Scott & White medical office), about 14,000 square feet of retail (including two sit‑down restaurants), two four‑story hotels totaling about 263 rooms, and other retail/professional uses. Staff said the project meets or exceeds the city’s minimum parking requirements and that the planning commission recommended approval 6–0.

Council discussion focused on traffic safety and the project’s roadway impacts along Business 287. Trenton confirmed a new traffic signal (red light) at the project access will be designed and installed at the developer’s expense. Council members asked whether the traffic study identified a need for a deceleration lane for a separate western driveway; staff answered the traffic study did not require one but said the city could work with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to require additional improvements. City staff and council expressed concern about the western, unsignalized access point because Business 287 there is a higher‑speed corridor (55 mph), and councilmembers said slowing vehicles before turns could reduce crash risk.

Kevin Hunter, representing CSW Waxahachie (the project developer), said the traffic study did not require a deceleration lane because the trip generation did not meet the threshold, and that TxDOT typically will not issue driveway permits until required improvements are completed. Hunter said developers typically must construct TxDOT‑required improvements before the driveway would be permitted.

Councilmember language offered at the meeting added the deceleration‑lane requirement to the zoning motion: that “prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for any structure on the property, the developer shall install a deceleration lane along Bypass 287, if merited in the sole determination of the city.” Council voted to approve the zoning change and the development agreement with that language included. Council later approved the related development agreement that includes the same deceleration‑lane trigger.

Staff noted the development agreement already requires the developer to comply with all TxDOT and city improvement requirements; the council’s added language clarified timing (prior to certificate of occupancy) and left final technical determination to the city in coordination with TxDOT.

A member of the public asked whether soil contamination testing had been completed on a parcel that previously experienced a fire; staff acknowledged the question but did not provide additional detail during the hearing. Any further technical or environmental clearance and TxDOT permitting will be handled in project engineering and permit phases.

The motions to approve zoning and the development agreement carried, with the council directing staff and the developer to finalize the necessary construction plans and permit coordination with TxDOT and the city engineering department.