Planning and Zoning Commission recommends Fortera Business Park plan to council amid drainage and church buffer concerns

The Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission on a 5–1 vote recommended approval of an Employment Center Plan for Fortera Business Park, a proposed industrial and commercial development on roughly 47.634 acres south of County Road 403 and east of County Road 401 (PZ2024‑2267). The recommendation moves the plan to Taylor City Council for final action.

The plan proposes Employment Center Commercial uses along the County Road 403 frontage and Employment Center Industrial uses on the southern portion of the site, separated by civic/open space. Consultant planner Parker McDowell (HDR) told the commission staff had sent nine notices and received two written responses in opposition, and that the applicant is pursuing voluntary annexation as part of the process.

Why it matters: residents and adjacent property owners raised flooding and drainage concerns affecting an historic nearby church and cemetery; the church requested a 300‑foot setback from the shared property line, and the church and applicant negotiated alternatives. The commission’s recommendation does not authorize…