Temple P&Z work session: Blackland Ranch on consent; several annexation and RV-park items tabled; townhome turnaround exception approved

TEMPLE, Feb. 3, 2025 — At its Feb. 3 work session the Temple Planning and Zoning Commission received staff updates on multiple plats and development projects: the final plat for Blackland Ranch, addition Phase 2, was placed on the consent agenda; an annexation and conditional-use permit (CUP) for a proposed RV park on State Highway 36 were tabled at City Council pending water-service coordination with Moffett Water Supply; a separate road-improvement proposal ("split P" Road) was tabled; staff and applicants agreed to revisit an RV-park proposal on Derry Road with adjustments for the city thoroughfare plan; and a townhome plat on South 41st Street received an exception for a hammerhead-style turnaround.

Planning and Development Director Bridal Chandler told commissioners that Blackland Ranch Phase 2 is on consent and meets the city’s TMED South standards as amended in 2018, including sidewalks, street trees, parks and trail connections. "As the name suggests, this is the second phase of Blackland Ranch, which is really the first TMED South residential development that meets all of the TMED requirements or at least the amended ones that were approved by council in 2018," Chandler said.

Chandler updated the commission on the State Highway 36 annexation and related RV-park CUP, explaining the developer asked to table the annexation because the site currently lacks city water and would rely on Moffett Water Supply until city lines are extended. "We would like to be part of that conversation as well because ideally, Moffett provides water in the interim. And then when we extend our lines out there, it could switch over," Chandler said. The timing for return to council depends on scheduling a meeting that includes Moffett Water Supply Corporation.

Commissioners asked whether residents had been notified that the items were tabled; Chandler responded, "Yes. Yes, sir. And when it comes back, we will contact them just to let them know it's coming back to city council. We'll come back to you all." A resident had previously raised the notification question during the update.

Chandler said the split P Road project lacks a finalized site plan and that council wanted to see more detailed development plans, including lot layout, roads, buffering, and sidewalks, before approving the proposal. The applicant is finalizing a site plan and staff expects the item may return to City Council on Feb. 20.

On Derry Road, Chandler said the applicant and staff discussed the thoroughfare plan: a future collector alignment runs through or adjacent to the RV-park site, and staff encouraged the applicant to preserve at least 300 feet of frontage for future nonresidential uses or screening to protect a potential commercial corridor.

The commission also received an update that a townhome plat near Salmons Golf Course on South 41st Street received an exception that allowed a hammerhead (shown as Rojas Avenue) instead of a full cul-de-sac. Chandler said public works reviewed the design and was comfortable with the exception despite potential complications for trash pickup; the discussion also prompted consideration of widening cul-de-sac radii in a future UDC update to reflect larger trucks.

Votes at a glance

- Blackland Ranch, addition Phase 2 — Final plat placed on the consent agenda (consent status noted at work session). - Annexation and CUP for RV park on State Highway 36 — Tabled at City Council pending water-service meeting with Moffett Water Supply Corporation. - Split P Road road-improvement/site-plan proposal — Tabled; applicant to provide a detailed site plan for council review. - Woodland Trail project (rezoning/consistency for gas station/convenience store) — Not tabled; staff indicated the matter progressed and the site is open for business. - Derry Road RV-park proposal — Staff and applicant agreed to revisit alignment with the thoroughfare plan; item to be returned to council for further review. - South 41st Street townhome plat — Exception for hammerhead turnaround approved; staff noted potential UDC amendments for cul-de-sac radii.

Why it matters: Several items touch city infrastructure and service provision — notably water-service responsibilities for annexed property and future collector-street alignments — and will require coordination between developers, Moffett Water Supply Corporation and city departments before City Council decisions.

What's next: Multiple items are expected back to City Council for decision; staff cited Feb. 20 as a possible date for some return items depending on applicant revisions and interagency coordination.