Council tables Armstrong Hills planned development after weeks of neighbor talks

The Keller City Council on April 15 continued consideration of a planned‑development rezoning for Armstrong Hills, a proposed 49‑lot residential subdivision on about 49 acres near the Davis Boulevard–Creek Road intersection. The council left the item on the agenda for the May 20 meeting after developers and nearby residents reported additional outreach but not enough completed paperwork to satisfy the city’s super‑majority requirement.

Developers said the project incorporates several changes raised in recent neighborhood meetings, including a new acceleration lane on the northbound exit to Davis Boulevard and increased rear setbacks. “We really appreciate the opportunity to be here. The biggest change … was the addition of an acceleration lane,” said Drew, an applicant representative for the project, noting preliminary coordination with TxDOT. Alonzo Leon, Keller’s public works director, told council he “would echo what TxDOT said” that the lane is not required by state standards but would be beneficial for safety; he suggested the lane could be extended to improve driver use.

Neighbors and council members pressed for three items repeatedly during the meeting: larger rear setbacks, a masonry perimeter wall, and clearer drainage assurances. Developer representatives said they increased rear setbacks to 20 feet (from 15) after discussions with adjacent homeowners and agreed to engineering work on an outfall for a nearby Rollingwood pond. The developer also offered to assist the Rollingwood HOA by engineering an outfall and reviewing detention sizing, though the council and developer noted any off‑site work and cost arrangements will require separate written agreements.

Councilmembers and nearby residents described mixed sentiment that has shifted toward conditional support as the developer negotiated changes. “We are extremely close to something that everybody could embrace,” Councilman Green said, asking for more signed confirmations from residents who had verbally withdrawn opposition. Council members repeatedly stressed that traffic on Davis Boulevard remains a broader safety concern under TxDOT’s jurisdiction and that the proposed acceleration/deceleration configuration is an improvement but not a final fix.

Action and next steps: a motion to approve the PD failed to secure the super‑majority needed; the council then voted to table the rezoning to the May 20 meeting to allow time for additional neighbor outreach and for the applicant to provide any final changes. Council also continued the separate related PD administrative item to the May 20 meeting.

Why it matters: Armstrong Hills would add 49 single‑family homes built into the site’s topography; developers say lot sizes will average roughly 30,754 square feet, and builders characterize the product as mid‑to‑upper‑market single‑family homes. Neighbors want design and drainage guarantees before removing opposition; council members signaled interest in reaching a unanimous or near‑unanimous outcome before final approval.

The council will revisit Armstrong Hills on May 20; the record indicates staff and the applicant will bring any revised development standards, signed neighbor statements, and updated engineering materials for council review.