Killeen council approves land-use change for 122-acre site east of Roy J. Smith Drive

KILLEEN, Texas — The Killeen City Council voted 7–0 Tuesday to amend the city’s future land use map for approximately 122.64 acres east of Roy J. Smith Drive and north of North Roy Reynolds Drive from an industrial designation to a residential-mix designation.

City planning staff told the council the change would not reduce the total industrial capacity available for the site based on current zoning and that the applicant’s concept plan provides a buffer between industrial and residential uses. "After our meeting with the applicant ... what they're doing is just reconfiguring where they can develop those land uses on their site," planning staff member Wallace Mescher said during the hearing.

The change was requested by Republic Engineering on behalf of the Bogosian Philip Living Trust and related owners. The applicant, developer Bill McClain, said the proposed plan would locate industrial uses closer to the road and push residential lots away from infrastructure constraints and environmental features. "I think it'll breathe new life into this area of North Killeen," McClain said.

Staff presented maps showing the site’s current zoning and the proposed future land use map (FLUM) amendment. Staff said the property currently contains areas zoned M-1 and M-2 for light industrial and about 193 acres zoned R-1 single-family; the applicant’s revision would result in roughly 130 acres designated industrial and 172 acres designated residential across the broader ownership footprint, according to staff exhibits.

Planning and Zoning initially recommended disapproval by a 7–0 vote on Aug. 25 because staff’s original analysis found the FLUM amendment would reduce land available for future industrial development. After additional information and a meeting with the applicant, staff reversed course and recommended approval. Mescher told the council the reversal followed a review of the current zoning entitlements and the applicant’s concept plan.

Two nearby property owners submitted written opposition, primarily citing concerns about residential development, loss of privacy and compatibility with the surrounding area. "The opposition was based ... on concern about development of the property in general," Mescher said.

Councilmember Ruben Alvarez moved to adopt the ordinance as presented; Councilmember Gloria Gonzales seconded the motion. The council approved the ordinance 7–0.

The council’s approval of the FLUM amendment does not itself rezone the property. The applicant said a subsequent rezoning (a planned unit development request) would follow if the FLUM amendment remained in effect.

Planning staff told the council the applicant’s concept includes a collector road that would provide separation between industrial and residential blocks and preserves an easement-restricted open-space area along the site’s lower corner. Developer Bill McClain said the industrial portion was placed where existing constraints — an overhead transmission line, a gas pipeline and a railroad — make residential development less suitable.

The council’s action completes the FLUM step; the developer indicated a rezoning/PUD application would be forthcoming to implement the concept plan.