City staff previews Holford Entertainment District rezoning around Bush Turnpike; no vote taken

City planning staff on Aug. 11 previewed a city-initiated rezoning proposal to create a “Holford Entertainment District,” a roughly 127-acre planned development area around Holford Road and the President George Bush Turnpike (case Z25-19). The presentation was informational; the commission did not vote on the proposal at the meeting.

Staff said the proposed PD would use Urban Business as the base zoning with additional permitted uses tailored to an entertainment- and sports-focused district, including potential full-service hotels and indoor commercial amusements that Urban Business does not permit by right. The rezoning is intended to support a recently announced soccer complex on the south side of Holford Road and to attract complementary commercial, restaurant and residential uses to create a destination.

“Approximately 127 acres, you can see the outline of the proposed rezoning in teal,” a city planner said, describing the site as primarily in District 7 with a portion north of the Turnpike in District 1. Staff said most of the land currently is zoned agricultural and that two parcels already contain PDs with nonresidential uses.

Staff described design priorities including a mix of residential and commercial components, first-floor retail with multifamily above, public and civic space, walkability and trail connections, and buffers to protect Spring Creek Preserve. Staff said about 13 acres adjacent to the highway are being considered for mixed-use commercial and hotel development, while a 50-acre parcel is the proposed soccer complex site.

Commissioners asked for clarity about ownership and environmental protections. Staff said the city owns the large tract east of Holford and that portions of the site near Spring Creek include floodplain that is undevelopable; staff said it will seek significant buffers and may pursue dedications or conservation measures with private property owners. Staff also said a town hall the previous week drew supportive feedback from residents.

Staff said it expected to return to the planning commission on Aug. 25 with a detailed PD and that, if recommended, the case would move to city council for possible action in mid-September.

Because this was a staff-led informational item, no public hearing was held and no formal action took place on Aug. 11.