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Commission denies Thomas Trail Phase 2 rezoning after staff and neighbors cite comp‑plan density and traffic concerns
Summary
The Commission denied a rezoning request for about 81.5 acres north of Tower Road for a 184‑lot subdivision; staff recommended denial because the proposed density exceeded the recently adopted future land use map and residents raised traffic, school queuing and infrastructure concerns.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5–2 to deny a rezoning request that would have turned roughly 81.5 acres north of Tower Road and west of FM‑663 from agricultural to a planned development for 184 single‑family lots.
Staff told commissioners the site is split between the country module and low‑density residential in the recently adopted comprehensive plan and that the comp plan’s suggested densities would support substantially fewer lots (staff estimated roughly 90–95 lots under the future land use map). Mary (planning staff) recommended denial, saying the proposed density (184 lots) exceeded the comp plan recommendation by approximately 53 lots.
Developer representatives (Bloomfield Homes) and the property owner, Ivana Thomas, described changes made after the item was denied at council earlier in the year, including larger lot footprints in many locations, themed open spaces instead of a city park and clarifications about drainage and sidewalks. Civil consultant Brent Caldwell said the design includes detention ponds in multiple corners and indicated the team had met neighbors and intended to address drainage that affects adjacent properties.
Several residents opposed the rezoning on traffic and safety grounds. Speakers cited congestion on FM‑663 (regional road), queues for Mountain Peak Elementary drop‑off/pick‑up, and difficulties exiting existing nearby neighborhoods during peak periods. Robin Gross of Camelot Estates said she feared the additional traffic would worsen dangerous left‑turn conditions at FM‑663 and Tower Road; Adam Ford and others cited long waits and near‑misses while exiting their neighborhoods. Supporters argued the developer’s revisions and stormwater improvements would improve conditions for some adjacent homeowners and that the project would provide a range of lot sizes.
After extended discussion that included whether TxDOT would install a traffic signal at FM‑663 and Tower Road (staff said TxDOT has determined the intersection warrants a signal and design work is underway), Commissioners voted to deny the rezoning. The motion to deny was made citing staff’s recommendation; the final vote was 5 in favor of denial and 2 opposed.
The denial means the property remains zoned agricultural; the developer may revise and resubmit or pursue alternative zoning or a plan that conforms more closely to the adopted future land use map. Several residents asked the city to coordinate on signal timing and other infrastructure work to address existing traffic issues regardless of the rezoning outcome.
