Commission approves preliminary site plan for two driveways at FM 3090 and State Highway 6; residents raise safety concerns

The Navasota Planning and Zoning Commission on June 12 approved a preliminary site plan application submitted by Wipro Real Estate LLC to construct two commercial driveways for a property at FM 3090 and State Highway 6 in Navasota. The approval covers driveway locations and associated right‑of‑way work; the applicant said a full site plan for a future fuel and truck‑service use would come later.

City staff and the applicant said the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) had approved the driveway design as part of a permit application. Cole Christian, representing the applicant, told commissioners TxDOT "agreed that we can shorten the desal lane because cars aren't moving at 55 miles an hour," and that TxDOT had accepted a reduced deceleration lane given the existing stop sign and site geometry.

The public and several commissioners pressed for details about safety and truck movements. Resident Connie Clements asked why the plan did not include an acceleration lane for southbound traffic and warned of possible congestion if an 18‑wheeler pulled out toward Highway 6. Staff and the applicant responded that the intersection at FM 3090 and the Highway 6 feeder is controlled by a stop sign on the feeder and that TxDOT had accepted the submitted configuration; staff said TxDOT requires driveway placement as far as practicable from the intersection.

Commission discussion noted several operational details provided during the meeting: the distance from the proposed driveway to the future on‑ramp is roughly 350 feet; plans reserve about seven truck parking spaces and the applicant estimated roughly 30 to 40 truck visits per day if a fueling/truck stop element is later developed; and a traffic count for the road was stated in the meeting at about 3,000 vehicles per day. Commissioners and residents expressed concern about trucks crossing lanes and blocking the feeder or the ramp during peak or high‑speed traffic.

Staff cautioned that TxDOT controls right‑of‑way improvements on the state routes and that if traffic increases TxDOT could require changes such as signalization or ramp adjustments; staff said the commission's action was on the city—s preliminary site plan for the driveways and did not replace any TxDOT permitting requirements.

Commissioner Barczyk moved to approve the preliminary site plan; Commissioner Kacovsky seconded. Commissioner John said he would vote to approve because the application met the city—s standards even though he remained concerned about safety. The chair recorded no opposition and the motion carried.

The commission—s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the driveway construction work authorized by the city while future phases of site development and any TxDOT right‑of‑way conditions are addressed in later permitting.