Argyle planning commission backs zoning change to allow Tribes Church to expand on FM 407

The Town of Argyle Planning and Zoning Commission on March 5 recommended approval of a zoning change to allow the Tribes Church to annex a 1.47-acre tract at 809 F.M. 407 West and zone it single-family residential estate (SF‑2.5), a move intended to let the church combine the parcel with adjacent property it already owns inside the town.

Harrison, the town’s director of community development, told commissioners the zoning request is a prerequisite to a March 17 Town Council annexation consideration. "This little parcel ... is in the extraterritorial jurisdiction," he said, and the applicant asked that, if annexed, the property be zoned SF‑2.5 rather than the default agricultural zoning that attaches on annexation.

The change would align the parcel’s zoning with the larger property the church owns inside Argyle and preserve the option to use the combined parcels for a future church building or, if a church were not built, for a single‑family house, Harrison said. He also confirmed the applicant intends to seek a sanitary‑sewer connection from the town as part of an annexation agreement: "They're ... requesting to connect to the town's sanitary sewer," he said.

Matthew Holtman, the architect from Design Works representing Tribes Church, said the parcel has been in the church's ownership for several years and is well suited for a church site because it fronts an arterial and will be accessible by a traffic signal. "It's a property that they've had for several years now. And they'd like to utilize it," Holtman said.

Commissioners asked questions about utilities, tax status and whether approval would be contingent on council annexation. Harrison confirmed the commission's recommendation would be subject to Town Council approval of annexation: "Our approval just is subject to the annexation by the city council. ... It only becomes effective if the city council approves the annexation." Commissioner Phil commented that the site is a difficult location for a single‑family buyer next to the water supply office and said the church use seemed a reasonable outcome.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the zoning change as presented. The staff recommendation, which commissioners adopted, included noting that a site plan application for the combined property is under review and expected at the commission's next meeting.

The Town Council is scheduled to consider the annexation on March 17; the zoning change would only take effect if council approves the annexation.