Planning commission recommends rezoning of 2 Woodland Trail property to general retail

The City of Temple Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 6 recommended the City Council approve a rezoning of 0.04 acres at 2 Woodland Trail from agricultural to general retail. The commission’s vote was unanimous.

Principal Planner Jason Deckman told the commission the rezoning “is really to clean up the zoning” for a portion of the convenience store parcel where a septic tank lies and to make the zoning match the property boundary recorded with Bell CAD. Deckman said the applicant previously considered a liquor store and had sought a conditional use permit, which cannot be authorized in agricultural zoning; the applicant decided not to pursue liquor sales and will sell beer and wine, a use allowed in general retail.

The proposed rezoning applies to a narrow strip adjacent to an existing convenience store near the intersection with 2271 and west of Temple Lake Park. Deckman said utilities exist at the site, the property is shown as residential neighborhood service on the future land use map but is already predominantly zoned GR, and staff recommends approval.

A registered public speaker questioned whether the property carries a Belton address while being outside Belton city limits; commissioners and staff clarified location and jurisdictional differences during the hearing. After public comment, Commissioner Rhodes made the motion to recommend approval to council (filed as FY24-32-ZC); the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote.

The rezoning will advance to City Council for first reading on Jan. 16 and second reading on Feb. 6, per the schedule presented by staff.

Votes at a glance: The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of FY24-32-ZC to City Council.

Looking ahead: If city council approves the rezoning, the applicant may proceed with the site-development and business licensing steps required for the convenience-store operation.