Council approves Arbor Square Phase 3 rezoning on first reading after lengthy public hearing; neighbors press for taller screening and fewer two‑story units

The City Council on July 3 approved, on first reading, a planned‑development rezoning and binding site development plan for about 12.302 acres along West Adams (FM 2305), the area identified for Arbor Square Phase 3, with conditions and instructions that staff work with the applicant before second reading to refine the site plan.

The rezoning will allow a mixed neighborhood‑service development that the applicant submitted showing townhomes on the west and north edges and small commercial or office pads internally. Planning & Zoning recommended approval 7–2; staff recommended conditions including a 15‑foot landscape buffer, two‑inch caliper minimum street trees in buffers, an eight‑foot solid screening wall adjacent to existing homes and limitations on nonresidential building height.

Council heard more than a dozen residents and homeowners’ association leaders during a lengthy public hearing. Neighbors urged preservation of mature trees, stronger and taller barriers where the new development adjoins existing single‑family yards, restrictions on two‑story buildings next to homes, stronger drainage protections and limits on lighting to protect wildlife. Speakers representing Eagle Landing and Lago Terra homeowners’ associations asked the council to require a 10‑ to 12‑foot solid wall and to require tree replacement with more mature stock than the two‑inch trees shown on the plan.

Developer Josh Pearson said the project seeks a mixture of uses and that the townhomes were included to create a buffer between commercial pads and the adjacent single‑family neighborhoods. He told council he would be willing to work with staff and neighbors and noted that a single‑story commercial alternative would change the economics and layout but might be feasible in revisions between readings.

Council members discussed options to reduce the visual and drainage impact on neighbors. Because more than 20 percent of the notified area submitted written opposition, the rezoning required a supermajority; council members approved the first reading 4–1 (Kuykendahl opposed). Council’s motion directed staff to work with the applicant and return a revised site plan for second reading, and included the Planning & Zoning recommended conditions as the baseline for approval.

Ending: Council approved the rezoning on first reading with required site‑plan conditions and asked staff and the applicant to negotiate additional measures (fence placement, tree replacement and drainage design) before second reading. Opposed neighbors said they will continue to press for stronger buffering and retention where feasible.