Council approves first reading for 210‑unit Kettlestone Lakes apartment project amid traffic and drainage concerns

The City Council granted first reading to an ordinance rezoning just over 12 acres in the Kettlestone Lakes area from KRR to KMS (Stacked High) to permit construction of a three‑story apartment building with 210 units and multiple resident amenities, including underground parking, clubhouse, pool, sport court and a dog park. City planning staff (Andy) presented the request on behalf of owner Kettlestone Lakes LLC and applicant Trident Development. The proposed density would be about 17.5 units per acre, below the maximum 24 units per acre allowed in the KMS Stacked High district; staff said the Kelso (Kettlestone) Master Plan identifies the property for mixed use and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on Aug. 12. Roger Fink, principal and senior vice president of Trident Development, said the company specializes in market‑rate multifamily and senior housing and outlined a projected schedule: construction start in 2026 with completion in 2027 and third‑party professional property management for leasing and operations. Multiple residents and a Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner, Veronica Lent, raised questions during the public hearing about soil types, tile/drainage maps, karst limestone and possible sinkhole risk, plus timing and adequacy of road widening on Ashworth Road and traffic impacts on nearby driveways. Resident Ramona Camlender asked about traffic studies for the Ashworth Road connection, TIF and the timing of Ashworth widening (staff said sections of Ashworth east of Grand Prairie Parkway are scheduled for widening in fiscal years 2028–2029 per the capital improvements plan). Staff said a corridor traffic study had been completed for the 1,500‑acre development and that stormwater management and interception/ rerouting of tile lines would be addressed during plat and engineering review; staff also noted regional detention ponds are included in the preliminary plat. Council members voted to approve the first reading (Council members Grove, Kron, Battenberg, Pierce and Sinclair indicated yes). No building permits were issued at the meeting; staff emphasized zoning and preliminary plat approvals are early steps and that detailed engineering and traffic mitigation will be reviewed during subsequent permit stages.