Planning commission approves Westwood Residential planned-development zoning for 40.66 acres in Terrell

The Terrell Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve Ordinance No. 3150 (PD 25-15) on Oct. 23, 2025, recommending that the City Council rezone about 40.663 acres east of the Crossroads area from retail to Planned Development — multifamily.

The proposal, brought forward by a developer identified as Westwood Residential, covers parts of tract 18, tract 3 and tract 4 of the John C. Heath survey in Kaufman County (Kaufman County CAD property IDs 235024, 235025 and 7672). City staff opened a public hearing and presented background showing that Phase 1 of the development (the Travis) — about 9 acres within the overall master plan — is under construction and expected to open early next year.

City planner Janet (staff member) told commissioners the PD request covers phases 2 and 3 of the larger development and that notification letters had been sent to 14 abutting landowners; two letters in favor were received before the meeting. She said the PD ordinance for Phase 1 (PD2302) and construction plans had previously gone to Planning & Zoning and City Council in 2023 and 2024.

Developer Jeff Lindsay of Westwood Residential described site constraints and timing. He said the layout was driven by two large easements — one pipeline running roughly north–south and an electric easement with a second pipeline on the other side — and that the plan keeps buildings out of those easements. "The pipelines prohibit you developing directly onto or on top of these pipelines for obvious reasons," Lindsay said. He said a paved crossing at a cul-de-sac would provide access between phases, and estimated — if approved — initial work on these phases would begin in September with the first new units delivered around March 2027.

Supporters who spoke at the public hearing included Carlton Tidwell, president of the Terrell Economic Development Corporation, who said the EDC’s five-year strategic plan identified a shortage of housing choices and described multifamily as an important option for incoming families and workforce. Charles Hodges, who said his firm was the master planner for the Crossroads development, said the property was intended for higher-density residential in the adopted master plan and that nearby retail benefits from weekday patronage provided by residents. Business owner Jacob Shulman said multifamily would support Film Alley and other local employers by providing workforce housing.

A nearby property owner, Marshall Johnson, opposed the rezoning and said he already experiences wind-blown construction litter from adjacent building activity and was concerned the larger development would increase that problem and affect wetlands and hunting ponds on his land. "That's my main concern is needing some help," Johnson said. Commissioners and staff acknowledged his complaint and suggested that construction and litter controls would be considered during subsequent construction-plat reviews.

Commissioners asked about encroachment and easement agreements; the developer said easement agreements were in place and that the proposed layout avoids building inside those easements. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the PD ordinance; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. The planning and zoning body’s recommendation now goes to the City Council for final action; staff indicated a City Council hearing was scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025.

The public record for this item includes the PD ordinance language, a concept plan and associated exhibits referenced during the hearing.