Planning commission recommends FLUP amendment, rezoning for 32.4-acre Scottsdale Drive site

The City of Cedar Park Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend approval of a future land use plan amendment (item C‑1) and a paired rezoning (item C‑2) for a 32.42-acre property between 183A Toll Road and Scottsdale Drive.

City planning staff said the proposal would split the site into two parcels: Parcel A, about 25 acres, would change from regional office/retail commercial to industrial manufacturing and be rezoned to a planned-development light-industrial district; Parcel B, just under 7 acres along 183A Toll Road, would remain commercial and be rezoned to a planned-development general business district.

Cindy Schleiner, senior planner with Development Services, told the commission that “Parcel A, which is highlighted in yellow, is a little over 25 acres and parcel B, highlighted in red, just under 7 acres.” Schleiner described required development standards and a list of prohibited and conditional uses the applicant included in the planned developments including limits on crematories, tattoo parlors and certain animal and agricultural services, and special-use permit requirements for some large warehouse or major repair uses.

Michelle Lynch, representing applicant Cordova Real Estate Ventures, said the developer expects demand for light-industrial users and wants the flexibility to accommodate both light industrial and commercial tenants without returning to the city for future amendments. “We feel there is a demand for a similar project on the West Side Of Scottsdale on the subject property,” Lynch said.

Staff noted additional conditions in the plan development related to landscape and major-corridor requirements: required shade canopy trees must be a minimum 4-inch caliper, and the plan development replaces a standard buffer yard between parcels A and B with a proposal to distribute the equivalent plantings throughout Parcel A to create a cohesive development rather than a fenced buffer. Schleiner said that if the FLUP amendment is approved, staff recommends approval of the matching zoning because the change would be consistent with the comprehensive plan goals for an appropriate mix of uses.

Commissioners discussed recent council attention to the Scottsdale Drive corridor and said the corridor has been trending toward light-industrial uses; Commissioner Antel urged P&Z not to “get in the weeds” and recommended forwarding the items to council for final review. Commissioner Antel moved to recommend approval of C‑1; Commissioner Snead seconded. The motion to recommend approval of the FLUP amendment carried 7‑0.

Commissioner Antel then moved to recommend approval of the rezoning (C‑2); Commissioner Ingram seconded. That motion also carried 7‑0.

The items will advance to the City Council for public hearings and final action.