Planning commission approves replat, zoning and special-use items; delays two Fortera projects after neighbor concerns

The Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday voted on a slate of routine and land-use requests, approving a replat, a place-type change, multiple special-use permits and a planned-development amendment while postponing two employment-center proposals after public comment about flooding, cemetery encroachment and traffic.

The commission approved minutes from its February and March meetings by voice vote and then moved through the regular agenda. Most votes were unanimous, 9-0.

A replat for the Doak Addition (PZ2025-2414) covering about 1.55 acres at the corner of West Second Street and Ferguson Street received conditional approval. Staff asked the applicant to show former property boundaries with dashed lines on the final drawing; the commission approved the replat on a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Vice Chair Frazier, 9-0.

The commission recommended approval of a place-type amendment (PZ2025-2436) for property at 1900 OLG Cemetery Road, a parcel identified in materials as “Honeybucket” and located near the city wastewater treatment plant. Planner Preston Gunn told commissioners the business is operating commercial uses inconsistent with its existing P2 rural place type and has sought variances to add screening. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted 9-0 on a motion by Commissioner Roy, seconded by Commissioner Allrich. Staff reported six mailed notices and zero written responses.

A special-use permit (PZ2025-2437) for lodging without a full-time on-site operator at 2908 Tyler Lane — described in the file as a short-term rental that the owner will operate between longer-term tenants — was approved with a three-year renewal condition. Preston Gunn said staff received 35 mailed notices and no responses; the applicant stated quiet hours would begin at 9 p.m., tenants would be asked to park in the garage, and the owner lives about 15 minutes away and would provide a contact number to neighbors. The commission approved the SUP 9-0 on a motion by Vice Chair Frazier, seconded by Commissioner Roy.

A special-use permit with conditions to allow drive-through services in the second and third layer of the lot at 2101 N. Main Street (PZ2025-44402) was approved 9-0. Staff described a negotiated site layout that removed one curb cut on North Main, moved parking out of the first (street-facing) layer, added enhanced landscaping to buffer the lot and provided a single pull‑ahead spot for drive‑through circulation. The staff presentation referenced Section 5.2.0202 of the City of Taylor Land Development Code and multiple conditional deviations to build-to-line, façade build-out and parking placement to preserve pedestrian safety and curb appeal. Commissioner Roy made the motion; Commissioner Aldridge seconded.

A planned-development amendment for the project at 3811 North Main Street (PZ2025-2393), a roughly 21.8-acre parcel previously approved for multifamily and ground-floor business uses, was presented by Lia Bojo of Jenner Group. The applicant described consolidation of smaller buildings into larger buildings, continued multifamily and some ground-floor commercial uses, and a fee-in-lieu and parkland improvements to be specified in the ordinance. Staff recommended approval and the commission passed the amendment 9-0 on a motion by Commissioner Buzan, seconded by Vice Chair Frazier.

Two employment-center plan applications by the same developer — Fortera Business Park (PZ2024-2267, approximately 47.63 acres near County Road 403 and north of Samsung) and Fortera Mixed Use (PZ2024-2268, approximately 52.50 acres nearby) — drew multiple public speakers concerned about drainage, flood risk, a nearby cemetery and existing traffic and railway delays. Staff initially recommended approval with warrants that would allow stormwater ponds to count as civic space and other site-specific deviations. After comments from residents asking for more detailed outreach and technical review, the commission voted unanimously to postpone both items to the May meeting and urged staff and the developer to meet with neighbors. Commissioner Brusca made the motion to postpone the first Fortera item; Vice Chair Frazier seconded. Commissioner Maruska moved to postpone the second Fortera item; Commissioner Newman seconded. Both postponements passed 9-0.

The commission also approved changing the May meeting date from May 13 to Monday, May 12, 2025. Chair Amy Everhart moved to change the date; the motion passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (Feb/March): Motion to approve by Commissioner Aldridge; second Commissioner Roy. Outcome: approved 9-0. - Doak Addition replat (PZ2025-2414): Motion by Commissioner Newman; second Vice Chair Frazier. Outcome: conditional approval 9-0. Condition: show former property boundaries with dashed lines on final plat. - Place-type amendment, 1900 OLG Cemetery Road (PZ2025-2436): Motion by Commissioner Roy; second Commissioner Allrich. Outcome: recommend approval 9-0. Notices mailed: 6; responses: 0. - Special-use permit, 2908 Tyler Lane (PZ2025-2437): Motion by Vice Chair Frazier; second Commissioner Roy. Outcome: approval with a 3‑year renewal condition 9-0. Notices mailed: 35; responses: 0. Operational notes: owner lives ~15 minutes away; quiet hours 9 p.m.; garage parking requested. - Special-use permit, 2101 N. Main St. drive-through (PZ2025-44402): Motion by Commissioner Roy; second Commissioner Aldridge. Outcome: approval with staff conditions 9-0. Reference: City of Taylor Land Development Code Sec. 5.2.0202; deviations granted to façade and parking placement. - Planned-development amendment, 3811 North Main (PZ2025-2393): Motion by Commissioner Buzan; second Vice Chair Frazier. Outcome: approval 9-0. Project: consolidated building layout, fee‑in‑lieu for park improvements, deed restrictions on financing alternatives. - Fortera Business Park employment center (PZ2024-2267): Motion to postpone to May meeting by Commissioner Brusca; second Vice Chair Frazier. Outcome: postponed 9-0. Developer: proposed warrants to allow civic space/landscaped stormwater facilities; neighbors requested additional outreach and technical review. - Fortera Mixed Use (PZ2024-2268): Motion to postpone to May meeting by Commissioner Maruska; second Commissioner Newman. Outcome: postponed 9-0. - May meeting date change to Monday, May 12, 2025: Motion by Chair Amy Everhart; second not specified in transcript. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

What mattered to the commission: most items drew routine staff recommendations and unanimous votes, while the Fortera proposals generated the meeting’s most substantive public comment on stormwater, cemetery adjacency and existing traffic conditions. Commissioners asked staff to facilitate additional meetings between the developer and neighbors before the items return in May.