Council approves Highlands at Bates Drive mixed‑use planned development with floor‑use flexibility for two buildings

The Waxahachie City Council voted to approve a planned development (ZDC 171/2024) for the Highlands at Bates Drive, a mixed‑use project that will add multifamily housing, commercial space and a hotel south of 2001 Bates Drive.

The development plan calls for approximately 340 multifamily units across four mixed‑use buildings (five stories), about 40,000 square feet of commercial space, a five‑story hotel, a drive‑through restaurant and a car wash with self‑service detailing bays. The developer requested deviations from the city’s attached‑garage parking requirement so more parking is tucked behind buildings to promote walkability and first‑floor retail/office uses.

Developer Mark Singleton described the design as pedestrian‑oriented, with hidden parking, landscaping, pickleball courts and other amenities. Planning staff said the project conforms to the city’s future‑land‑use guidance for the site and that Planning & Zoning recommended approval 5–0. Council discussion addressed parking quantity and placement, visual impacts for neighboring homes to the south, stormwater detention and potential future use changes on ground floors.

Council added an update to the development standards to allow ‘‘flexibility of floor‑use’’ for buildings A and B so the applicant can flip first‑floor commercial and upper‑floor residential uses in those specific buildings without a separate rezoning; the change will be reflected in the development‑standards exhibit. The motion to approve, including that development‑standards language, passed unanimously.

The developer said construction is likely at least a year away as final civil work and bidding are completed. Council also asked staff to continue coordination with TxDOT and to monitor stormwater and sight lines for adjacent homes. No taxes or incentives were adopted at this meeting.