Fiscal Court hears first reading on 70.27‑acre zone change at College Hill/Fike Road; magistrates discuss prior litigation and site visits

The Madison County Fiscal Court heard the first reading of Ordinance 2025‑006 on May 13, which would reclassify 70.27 acres on College Hill Road and Pike Road (Waco) from an R‑7/C‑7 agricultural classification to U‑C‑1 single‑family residential and direct the county GIS coordinator to amend the official zoning map if approved.

County staff said the Madison County Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 18, 2025 and recommended approval; the planning commission’s findings of fact were attached to the ordinance materials on file with the county. Magistrates and the judge discussed the land’s review history: the planning commission previously approved the request in August 2022, the fiscal court denied it in September 2022, and the property owner subsequently sued the fiscal court. The circuit court reviewed the challenge and, according to discussion on the record, upheld the fiscal court’s authority to deny a rezoning even when a request aligns with a comprehensive plan.

“A comprehensive plan is intended to be a guide for development, not a straight jacket,” a magistrate quoted from the circuit court ruling during discussion, noting the governing body retains discretion to judge rezoning requests on their merits. Several magistrates urged colleagues to personally inspect the parcel during the 30‑day period before the second reading, saying local knowledge of roads and neighborhoods informs their decisions.

This was a first reading; no vote was taken. The court will accept written comments by email and will conduct the second reading at the next scheduled fiscal court meeting.