Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Walnut Street PD to create compact downtown block with shops, restaurants and public plaza
Summary
The council approved a planned-development zoning change for a multi-lot downtown project proposed by JSC Holdings (Carters). The PD allows reduced setbacks, on-street parking counting toward parking requirements, enhanced sidewalks and a small amphitheater and anticipates phased construction tying into future extensions of Fifth Street.
GUNTER, Texas — The City Council on April 17 approved a planned-development rezoning for tracts along Walnut Street that the developer and staff said are intended to create a compact, pedestrian-oriented downtown block with retail, restaurants and outdoor activity space.
Brooks (Brooks) Wilson, a planning consultant for developer JSC Holdings, presented the concept and said the PD is grounded in the city’s downtown master plan design guidance: 10-foot sidewalks, street trees, awnings and building fronts pushed close to the sidewalk to create an active streetscape. "This is gonna be a very exciting addition," Wilson told the council.
The PD proposal calls for a mix of one- and two-story buildings, pedestrian-friendly pavements, a small amphitheater-style gathering space and a parking approach that counts on-street head-in and parallel spaces toward the overall parking ratio (applicants and staff modelled a 1:300 parking ratio for mixed uses). The PD includes an interim cul-de-sac/turnaround on Walnut until adjacent property to the south installs a connecting street; the PD limits building heights to a downtown scale and asks for design uniformity (white façades, awnings, consistent signage palette).
Council and staff noted the PD is concept-level: final civil engineering, drainage and utility plans are required before building permits or site work. Eric (city planning staff) said the development will likely need on-site detention or other drainage mitigation to avoid increasing off-site flooding; the applicants acknowledged they will pay for needed drainage improvements where necessary.
The council approved the ordinance after the public hearing and a developer presentation. The city and developer agreed to coordinate street and utility phasing so that when Fifth Street or connecting access is built the temporary cul-de-sac will be removed and platted into the final street grid.
Why it matters: The PD is a significant downtown investment expected to spur further private redevelopment and provide public space and new commercial choices for Gunter residents. By explicitly counting on-street parking the PD is designed to create a tighter pedestrian environment rather than dominant parking lots.
Next steps: Developer to submit final civil and building plans, drainage report and phased street construction schedule for planning and engineering review.
