Council advances rezoning for 33‑acre RV park; owners describe upscale vision
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Summary
The council moved forward a first reading to change zoning for 33 acres to allow an RV park. Council members voiced long‑term land‑use concerns while the developer described plans for an "upscale" RV retreat with landscaping and paved roads.
The Abilene City Council on Thursday approved on first reading a request to rezone about 33 acres to agricultural/open space to allow development of an RV park.
Councilman Reagan pulled the items for discussion and said the request involves changing current medium‑density and general retail zoning because those districts do not allow RV parks. Planning staff said the rear of the property likely contains unstudied flood areas and that the two items (22 and 23) are tied together: if the rezoning fails, related approvals cannot move forward.
Developer Larry Hill told the council the project — Rainy Creek RV Retreat — is planned as an "upscale" park. Hill said work already completed includes a landscaped pond with stacked boulders and walking trails; he said the development will provide jobs and that the park would be maintained to avoid dust and weeds. "It'll be a nice upscale, a park that will be there probably long after I'm gone," Hill said.
Council members pressed practical questions about traffic and infrastructure. Staff said the site plan contemplates up to about 158 RV spaces and that power and water are not expected to be barriers; roads would be paved. Tim, a planning staff member, noted required setbacks, landscaping, and that a six‑foot opaque fence would be required where a park abuts residential districts. Council members raised policy concerns about locating an RV park near the growing commercial corridor along State Highway 351 and the risk of having multiple underused RV parks once temporary demand subsides.
The first reading motion to move items 22 and 23 forward was made by Councilman Reagan and seconded by Councilman Price; the mayor announced, "All yeses. Motion is carried." Staff was asked to accept emailed council concerns before second reading.
The rezoning request remains subject to second reading and any conditions the council may attach; staff said the conditional‑use permit allows the council to require additional screening, landscaping or other conditions when they return for final action.