Planning commission recommends approval for chemical plant expansion in Temple Industrial Park

The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 4 recommended that City Council amend an existing conditional use permit to allow Palladia to expand an existing chemical manufacturing facility at 2114 Trino Road.

The amendment would update the site plan for the conditional use permit (CUP) authorized by ordinance 2017-4882 to add four new buildings — two for production and warehousing and two tank farms for raw materials or finished products — and to allow a future extension of a rail spur and rail loading/unloading facility, Principal Planner Jason Deckman told commissioners.

Deckman said the request does not change the use or the ordinance conditions; it only modifies the site plan to allow the approved use to expand. “We’re not changing the conditions. We’re not changing the use, but what we’re doing here is expanding an approved use to add 4 more buildings,” Deckman said during his presentation.

Staff’s recommendation and findings Staff reported the property is about 21.193 acres inside Temple’s Northwest Industrial Park, near Loop 363. Deckman said utilities already exist on the site (8-inch to 12-inch water and sewer lines), landscaping and fire-suppression infrastructure are in place, and six hydrants will be located at the site to serve the expansion. Deckman said Palladia currently employs about 30 people at the site and that the CUP and applicable building, fire and environmental regulations would continue to apply to the new buildings.

Deckman described traffic and safety context around the Loop 363/Lucius McKelvey intersection and noted recent TxDOT-funded improvements in the corridor. He reported roughly 2,700 daily trips at the Lucius intersection area but said the rail expansion could reduce truck trips. Deckman told commissioners staff found the amendment compliant with the Unified Development Code (UDC) CUP criteria and recommended approval subject to the existing conditions in ordinance 2017-4882 and applicable Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules for air quality, spill prevention and materials handling.

Public comment and outcome No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. Commissioner Walker moved to recommend approval of item FY-25-24-ZC as recommended by staff; Vice Chair Smith seconded. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval: Commissioners Walker, Juraczek, Rhodes, Longino, Vice Chair Smith and Chair Crossett voted “aye.” The chair announced the motion carried.

What the approval means The Planning and Zoning Commission’s action was a recommendation to City Council; final approval to amend the CUP rests with the council. Deckman said minor site-plan revisions could be approved by the building and planning director with consultation from the building official or fire marshal, but significant changes would return to the commission. The CUP, as with all CUPs, may be revoked by City Council if it is later found to be detrimental to public health or safety.

Details noted in the record Staff materials on file with the commission list existing spill-containment and foam fire suppression systems and require continued compliance with building and fire codes and with the site’s CUP conditions. The proposal includes future rail infrastructure that staff said could reduce road freight traffic by moving some inbound raw materials and outbound finished products by rail rather than truck.

Looking ahead The commission’s unanimous recommendation sends the amendment to City Council for final action and any additional review required by city code or external regulators.