Planning commission conditionally approves final plat for 20.76-acre Patriot Crossing subdivision on MLK Drive

The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission on May 19 conditionally approved the final plat for Patriot Crossing, a proposed 20.76± acre mixed-use subdivision along South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (case FY-24-16-PLT). Approval was final at the commission level but conditioned on Atmos Energy agreeing to a roughly 9-foot encroachment into an existing utility easement required for a cul-de-sac alignment.

Principal Planner Cheryl Maxey presented the plat, describing it as consistent with a previously approved planned-development ordinance (approved in 2023) that allows a mix of single-family, duplex up to 25 percent of the area, and general retail up to 20 percent. The plat calls for approximately 85 lots (staff referred to 85 lots and an estimated buildout of about 95 dwelling units when duplexes are counted), two standard entrances from MLK Drive, and required sidewalks: a 6-foot sidewalk along MLK (a minor arterial) plus 4-foot internal sidewalks along neighborhood streets.

Maxey said water and sewer capacity are available, and the applicant will extend six-inch water and sewer lines and connect to an off-site sewer line in the adjacent Pecan Creek South Phase 4 subdivision. The plat includes an L‑shaped tract of about 4 acres for drainage and a private park; the storm detention area comprises about 22 percent of that tract and the detention pond is approximately 0.9 acre.

Because part of a cul-de-sac (Defender Drive) encroaches approximately nine feet into an existing Texas utility easement, staff recommended conditional approval pending Atmos Energy’s written agreement to allow the encroachment. Maxey described the Atmos confirmation as the only outstanding technical issue; staff recommended final approval conditioned on that agreement.

Commissioner Smith moved to approve the plat per staff recommendation; Commissioner Walker seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

The plat applicant received a PD ordinance exception for park dedication; instead of paying a park fee the developer will provide on-site amenities totaling $24,100 (a 20-by-30-foot pavilion, picnic tables and a walking trail alignment). The project lies within Temple ISD and the plat was determined administratively complete on the May filing date noted in staff materials.

With the condition in place, the commission’s approval grants final subdivision authorization at the commission level; the applicant must secure Atmos’ easement concurrence and complete any remaining engineering sign-offs before the city will issue construction permits and allow building to proceed.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve final plat FY-24-16-PLT (Patriot Crossing) per staff recommendation, conditional on Atmos agreement for easement encroachment. - Mover: Commissioner Smith. Second: Commissioner Walker. - Tally: unanimous approval (recorded as all commissioners voting "aye").