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Council approves land-use change for 711 S. Robinson Drive but rejects MF2 rezoning after lengthy debate
Summary
A developer's proposal to convert a vacant storage site at 711 S. Robinson Drive into high-density residential prompted extended public comment and council debate. The council approved a land-use change to high-density residential but later voted down the companion multifamily MF2 rezoning motion after members raised concerns about access, density and compatibility with surrounding commercial uses.
Robinson City Council took separate actions on proposals for 711 South Robinson Drive after an extended public hearing and council debate.
During the public hearing, applicant Jeff Brown described a proposed multifamily development that he estimated would be a "$10,000,000 project," with units he estimated might rent "maybe $900-ish and up to $1,500." Brown said the project would include landscaping, buffers, on-site amenities and management and that he expects it to be a high-quality development.
Council and members of the public offered sharply differing views. Supporters, including some business and development leaders, described the lot as a longtime blighted storage yard in need of redevelopment and said additional workforce housing is needed to keep employees in town. Opponents and some council members raised concerns about single access/egress to the site on US 77, traffic safety, density (the MF2 district allows up to 20 units per acre) and the fact that the parcel sits in an area dominated by commercial zoning.
After debate, the council voted to enact the land-use change ordinance to designate the 4.04-acre site as high-density residential. The council then considered a companion ordinance to rezone the property to multifamily MF2. Following additional public comment and council discussion focused on access, infrastructure and precedence, a motion to adopt the MF2 zoning did not pass.
City staff had noted that under state law, because Planning & Zoning recommended denial, a supermajority may be necessary for certain zoning actions; staff also highlighted potential impacts such as noise and light issues when residential is introduced in commercial areas. Councilmembers urged that any future development comply with TxDOT access requirements and stormwater/drainage engineering.
The separate outcomes mean the city has changed the land-use designation but did not grant the requested zoning; staff and the applicant will need to resolve outstanding infrastructure and access concerns if the project moves forward.
