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Commission approves Villages at Waters Creek zoning amendment that adds C2 frontage, prompts traffic and buffer questions
Summary
The commission approved an amendment to the Villages at Waters Creek plan development to rezone frontage along West White Street to C2 regional commercial and convert some single-family acreage to flex industrial and attached housing; commissioners and residents asked about traffic signals, buffers and landscaping.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 recommended approval of an amendment to the Villages at Waters Creek plan development that rezones a portion of frontage along West White Street to C2 regional commercial and converts some previously planned single-family lots to flex industrial and attached product.
Lauren (staff) told the commission the property was originally zoned in 2020 and amended in 2022 to expand multi-family; in 2025 the applicant dedicated parkland for Carroll Park. The current request would change frontage from C1 base zoning to C2 regional commercial to allow three restaurants, a retail building, childcare and an auto-repair use (auto repair would require an additional review/approval). The applicant is also proposing flex industrial and one-story commercial abutting Ocala, with maximum heights limited at 1–2 stories adjacent to the existing neighborhood.
David Califer of Westwood Professional Services and Don Collins (representing the developer) described the site's planned users. Collins said the development team has retail users interested in the southeast corner, a Take 5 oil-change user near a mini-warehouse, and an intended daycare. He said the developer has been working with city staff for nearly 10 months and had dedicated roughly 12.6 acres for parkland and approximately 2,800–3,000 linear feet of trails along Throckmorton Creek.
Residents and commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on traffic and access. Commissioner questions focused on whether TxDOT would allow a new signal on West White Street; Greg Peters, assistant city manager, said TxDOT typically requires traffic warrants based on actual counts and that a warranted signal can take one to two years to be installed after being approved. Catherine Wood, an Ocala resident, asked whether Persimmon Drive would open into Ocala and whether local subdivision streets would receive increased cut-through traffic.
The applicant said they plan a living landscape screen along the Ocala boundary to preserve existing vegetation rather than installing a fence that would destroy trees; they described retaining walls and proposed building heights capped to match adjacent single-family product (about 35 feet). Don Collins said the development team is prepared to participate in streetlight funding and that Persimmon Drive construction is nearing city acceptance.
Commissioners discussed notice; staff said the city mailed postcards to properties within 200 feet and that the applicant also mailed notices. Commissioner comments noted the buffer between the proposed flex product and Ocala residences is approximately 50–86 feet in many locations, with existing vegetation to be preserved. Commissioner Lohmeier moved to approve; Commissioner Herman seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
