Balch Springs EDC approves up to $50,000 development agreement with True Life Fellowship Church for Alexander Village access

Balch Springs Industrial and Economic Development Corporation Type A on Sept. 15 voted to authorize a development agreement with True Life Fellowship Church to secure 30 feet of right-of-way needed to build a collector road and provide access to I‑20 for the Alexander Village development, not to exceed $50,000.

Economic development staff Dannette Stelts said the agreement would convey the 30‑foot right‑of‑way from the church at 13420 Alexander Road and pay the church $47,000 for the land plus fees for surveying and plat work to record the dedication. "We're recommending approval, as stated," Stelts told the board.

The right‑of‑way is described in the agreement as essential to construct the collector road shown on the project's concept plan; that roadway will provide direct access to the I‑20 frontage road and allow the developer to complete required infrastructure for four restaurants, retail and market‑rate apartments identified in the plan.

Stelts said the funding is available in the EDC’s incentive line item for the current fiscal year and that the $50,000 cap covers the conveyance plus associated survey and plat costs. She described the payment schedule as two milestone payments: one at execution of the agreement and a second upon submittal for the developer’s permit.

A board member asked what would happen if the second milestone did not occur; Stelts replied the city might need to return to the board to amend the agreement if construction milestones change. Stelts also said the church experienced pastoral turnover over the last year but the current senior pastor has agreed to the conveyance.

The board voted with four recorded aye votes: Ivan Guel, Felicia Riddick, Gwendolyn Gardner and Natasha King. The motion to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute the agreement passed; the meeting record did not name the motion mover or seconder.

Stelts said once the right‑of‑way is recorded, the developer will begin infrastructure work this fall and that the agreement will also be presented to the City Council later in the month. She noted the city had previously negotiated right‑of‑way from adjacent property owners to allow the collector road alignment.

The record shows the EDC will pay the church $47,000 for the conveyance and cover surveying/platting fees; the larger $50,000 authorization is the board’s limit for this agreement. The church was not present at the meeting; Stelts said staff had communicated with church leadership earlier the same day.

The board’s action is limited to the EDC Type A account authorization and negotiation of the development agreement; Stelts said subsequent steps — including permit submittal and construction timing — depend on recording the right‑of‑way and completing the developer’s next approvals.

Votes at the meeting were recorded as: Ivan Guel — yes; Felicia Riddick — yes; Gwendolyn Gardner — yes; Natasha King — yes. The motion outcome: approved.

The EDC staff said they will return with updates as the right‑of‑way is recorded and when the city council considers the agreement.