Cleburne council approves revised playground design for Trail Creek subdivision
Loading...
Summary
The Cleburne City Council voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the Trail Creek planned development to change the approved playground equipment, overturning the planning commissionrecommendation and requiring a supermajority to pass.
The Cleburne City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an amendment to the Trail Creek planned-development (PD) standards that will substitute the originally approved natural-theme playground with an alternative manufactured set that includes a larger shaded area.
The change affects roughly 38 acres in the Trail Creek addition located north of Mancourt, south of Mimosa Street and west of Grand Avenue and covers the playground equipment only; other park amenities and the planned dedication of about 7 acres along McAnarrie Creek to the city remain unchanged.
City planning staff told the council the developer’s proposed equipment is manufactured by GameTime and that its expected longevity and quality are comparable to the originally approved set by Landscape Structures. "Traditionally, their playground equipment will last a similar length of time," said Aaron (parks director), responding to a council question about durability.
The planning and zoning commission recommended denial by a 7-0 vote, citing the loss of the original playground—s natural/faux-wood aesthetic. Because the commission recommended denial, city code required a supermajority (four of five councilmembers) to overturn that recommendation. Councilmembers said cost increases since 2020 and the addition of a shade structure influenced their decision; one councilmember noted the shade in the proposed set would avoid a $60,000 future cost if the city required a retrofit of the 2020 design.
Councilmember Blake Jones moved to approve the PD amendment; Oliver Cosby seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The developer will install the playground during phase 3 of the Trail Creek build-out, as previously scheduled. Staff said they mailed 119 notices for the amendment and received two letters of support and two of opposition; one opposition stemmed from an incorrect belief the park would be removed and staff said they would follow up with that resident.
No other changes to zoning, park acreage, trails, parking or fencing were approved as part of this amendment.
Looking forward, council members asked staff to communicate the decision and the reasons for overturning the planning commission recommendation to the commission members.
