Planning commission recommends rezoning 49.989 acres at 4181 Tower Road to light industrial

The Temple Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend rezoning 49.989 acres at 4181 Tower Road from agricultural to light industrial.

Senior neighborhood planner Christina Strickland presented the staff report and said the parcel is intended to be part of a Synergy Park expansion for light-industrial and data-center uses. "So staff is recommending approval of the rezoning of 4181 Tower Road from agricultural to light industrial, and I'm happy to answer any questions should you have any," Strickland said.

The commission heard that the site is undeveloped and lies adjacent to existing light-industrial development and the landfill. Strickland said the annexation will go to city council for final approval this Thursday and that, if annexed, the parcel would enter city limits as agricultural zoning by default and then be rezoned to match its western neighbor. She said city council readings are scheduled for first reading on Nov. 20 and second reading on Dec. 4.

Staff described available utilities and transportation needs: wastewater service is available from a 10-inch gravity main along Lorraine Avenue and a 12-inch water line also runs on Lorraine, enabling extensions for development; Tower Road is designated a minor arterial in the thoroughfare plan and will require right-of-way dedication during platting. Strickland said the proposed data-center-type use would generate about 396 weekday vehicle trips and compared those counts to nearby Bobwhite Road counts staff used for analysis.

On safety, staff reported 11 crashes in the wider study area over five years — including one fatality, three serious injuries and two minor injuries — but noted 10 of those crashes were on Loop 363 and none were reported on Tower Road.

A commissioner asked whether the parcel is associated with the Rowan data-center group; Strickland replied that this particular parcel is not Rowan's and that the Temple Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) is working with the current landowner on the light-industrial expansion.

Commissioners also raised questions about power and water capacity for large data facilities. Strickland said various easements are projected to serve electrical connections and that water and wastewater connections are available, but that specific capacity and technology choices will be determined during the planning and platting stage and as developers specify needs. Public Works is monitoring water and wastewater in the area, she said.

Staff said property notices were mailed to three owners in the notification area and a legal notice ran in the Temple Daily Telegram on Oct. 23 "in accordance with state law and local ordinance." No public comments for or against the rezoning were received at the hearing.

Votes at a glance: - Consent item: approval of the 10/20/2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting (Consent Item 4). Motion to approve by Commissioner Morales; second by Commissioner Carney. Roll call vote: Morales (Aye), Walker (Aye), Kearney (Aye), Longino (Aye), Agee (Aye), Smith (Aye), Krause (Aye), Vice Chair Juracek (Aye), Chair Rhodes (Aye), Carney (Aye). Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Rezoning: FY25-32-ZC — Rezone 49.989 acres at 4181 Tower Road from agricultural to light industrial. Motion to recommend approval by Commissioner Carney; second by Commissioner Longino. Roll call vote: Morales (Aye), Walker (Aye), Carney (Aye), Longino (Aye), Agee (Aye), Smith (Aye), Krause (Aye), Vice Chair Juracek (Aye), Chair Rhodes (Aye). Outcome: recommended for approval to city council (unanimous).

The commission closed the hearing after receiving no in-person or online speakers. With the commission's recommendation, the rezoning will proceed to city council for consideration on the dates Strickland noted. Chair Rhodes closed the meeting at about 5:45 p.m.