Cedar Park — The City Council on Jan. 9 approved on second reading a special-use permit to allow a gasoline service station on about 1.56 acres at the northwest corner of East Whitestone Boulevard and Toro Grande Boulevard.

Andrea Davila of Development Services summarized the second-reading application and said the applicant revised the concept plan since the first reading. The updated plan reduced the number of multi-fuel dispensers from six to five, added enhanced landscaping and screening, added open space with seating and public art, and identified four vehicle charging stations east of the building. Staff concluded the revised concept conforms with the code and the comprehensive plan and found the site can be adequately served by public facilities as it proceeds through the subdivision and site-development process.

Representatives for the project — including Ben Horn (project representative) and Sean Cummings (representing the owners) — said the property owner will dedicate the right of way for the second half of Toro Grande North and expects construction of the road extension and the commercial development to run in tandem. Cummings said the operator expects most traffic to be “drive in/drive out” from Whitestone and estimated that a minority of trips would involve internal circulation that would push traffic through the new internal drives.

Council members raised multiple concerns during an extended discussion. Questions focused on pedestrian safety where sidewalks are currently located near the curb, the timing of planned TxDOT or city improvements (including additional left-turn lanes and a median break), the ability to maintain intensive landscaping over time, and congestion during peak periods when nearby sports and recreation facilities generate traffic. City staff and the applicant explained that the Whitestone sidewalk will be relocated back from the curb as part of project work and that Toro Grande sidewalks will be constructed as part of the city road project; they also said they will coordinate final engineering with city staff and TxDOT.

Council member Kirkland moved to approve item H-2 “as presented”; Council member Harris seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Details: The permit allows a gasoline service station in the existing General Business zoning with the special-use overlay. The applicant committed to five multi-fuel dispensers, four electric-vehicle charging stations, enhanced landscape buffers and public-art installations at the southeast corner seating area. The owner committed to dedicate right of way for Toro Grande North; timing for road construction is under separate city review and tied to the larger commercial project.

Why it matters: The location is part of a larger commercial development and the permit sets design and operational expectations for landscaping, EV infrastructure and pedestrian accommodations intended to reduce the visual and traffic impacts of a fuel facility at a key city gateway.

Next steps: The site will proceed through subdivision and site-development reviews, engineering and permitting. Additional engineering-level details (driveway geometrics, TIA elements and turn-lane construction) will be reviewed during those phases.