Killeen Council approves rezoning for 107-acre Featherline subdivision after months of public debate

Killeen City Council on Tuesday approved a request to rezone about 107.6 acres along Featherline Road from agricultural to R-1 (single-family residential) and B-3 (local business), clearing the way for an applicant’s plan that city staff estimated could yield about 300 single-family lots.

The applicant’s representative, Garrett Nordyke of TCG Engineering, told the council the entitlement and construction sequence means it would likely be about three to four years before the first houses are occupied. “Construction plans will take an additional six to nine months,” Nordyke said, and preliminary plat and permitting typically add another year to year and a half before road and infrastructure construction can begin.

City planning staff and engineering presentations said water, sewer and drainage utilities are available in the area and that the proposal is consistent with the Killeen 2040 comprehensive plan. Staff found the request aligned with the city’s future land‑use guidance and recommended approval. Planning and Zoning recommended approval, 4–2.

Several residents said they remained concerned about traffic and emergency access. Melissa Brown, who said she represents neighbors, urged the council to postpone development until road upgrades and other infrastructure are in place. “The single ingress/egress condition will create the same safety and congestion issues we’ve seen elsewhere,” she said. Other speakers argued the project follows the city’s long‑standing growth plan and noted recent progress on road improvements and school infrastructure near the site.

Council members described a lengthy community process and staff follow‑up. Councilman Michael Boyd made the motion to approve; Councilmember Segar seconded. The motion passed 5–1, with Councilwoman Cobb voting no and Councilmember Adams absent.

The developer and staff said city and developer coordination will be required for Featherline Road improvements and other off‑site traffic mitigation. Staff cautioned that construction phasing, permitting and required flood‑plain work will determine whether road upgrades are completed before initial houses are built. The council did not set an implementation deadline for the zoning change.

The ordinance takes effect per usual publication rules; further steps — preliminary plat, construction plans and permitting — will return to staff and, where required by code, to Planning and Zoning and council for approvals.