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Heath council approves preliminary plat for Vaquero addition, urges traffic study and thoughtful site plan
Summary
The council approved a preliminary plat for the Vaquero commercial addition (PP2025-02) across from Heath Hawk High School but emphasized concerns about peak-hour traffic near the school and asked the applicant to finalize a traffic impact analysis and improved site planning details.
The Heath City Council voted to approve the preliminary plat for the Vaquero addition (case PP2025-02), an 11.057-acre commercial plan-development project at the southwest corner of Lawrence Drive and Heath Hawk Drive.
Staff said the preliminary plat meets the technical requirements and that planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. The development is planned in two phases with Lot 1 expected to accommodate a PNC Bank and the remainder to follow in phase two. Staff noted the applicant revised the sidewalk location to place a 10-foot sidewalk in the right-of-way and provided a tree-scape plan showing 24 removed trees (284 total inches) and 137 new trees to be planted.
Council discussion focused on traffic and pedestrian safety near Heath Hawk High School. Councilmembers emphasized the need for a traffic impact analysis (TIA) and for the applicant to account for peak school-hour conditions; the applicant said a draft TIA was nearly ready and that the study would include the effect of an adjacent proposed DPS station. The applicant also committed to further site-plan-level design work during the next phase to enhance walkability and visual character.
After discussion, a motion to approve the preliminary plat passed. Council members urged staff and the applicant to ensure forthcoming site plans address ingress/egress, parking circulation, and safe pedestrian routes for students and residents, and they noted that a full site-plan and conditional use permit (if required for future tenants) will return to the council for review where applicable.
