Council rezones 5825 Pleasant Grove to higher density after residents raise drainage and traffic concerns

The Texarkana City Council voted to rezone an approximately 6.11-acre tract at 5825 Pleasant Grove Road from Single Family 1 to Single Family 2 on July 21 after a public hearing in which multiple nearby residents urged the council to preserve larger-lot development. Developer Brad Meador, representing 2 B Builders, told the council the project would start with a 1,500-square-foot minimum house and that lots would accommodate two-car garages; Meador said homes would be custom brick construction and not "track" or economy-style housing. Several residents expressed objections during the public hearing. Brandon Haines presented an analysis comparing taxable revenues under SF-1 and SF-2 lot configurations and argued the city could gain more tax value by retaining SF-1. Robert Harley and Josh David urged engineering review of drainage and detention, saying existing retention infrastructure may be undersized and that additional homes would increase traffic on Turtle Creek and Sunny Street, citing school traffic and pothole repairs. Megan Baker and Sherry Fombee also raised traffic and drainage concerns and emphasized the neighborhood's character. Planning staff and the developer told the council key technical details are unresolved pending engineering review during permitting. Planning staff confirmed that single-family-1 zoning requires an 80-foot lot width and 12,000-square-foot area, while single-family-2 requires a 60-foot lot width and 7,200-square-foot area. Staff said utilities, drainage and fire hydrant placement will be reviewed during permitting and are not yet engineered for the proposed layout. Council members discussed lot-area comparisons and local appraisal data; Council Member Davis noted county appraisal values showing lot dirt values near $25,000 for comparable parcel sizes. The council cast a voice vote and approved the ordinance rezoning the tract to Single Family 2 (ordinance captioned in the record) on a motion recorded in the minutes as "motion by council member Madder and a second by council member Matlock." The motion carried unanimously.