Rowlett planning commission grants six‑month extension for Creekside Village preliminary plat

The Rowlett Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 22 approved a six‑month extension of the Creekside Village preliminary plat, a 5.89‑acre subdivision planned for 24 single‑family lots, after the property owner described financing and infrastructure challenges affecting the project.

Commissioners discussed whether to grant the full one‑year extension requested by the owner or a shorter period to prompt clarity about the development’s status. Commissioner Frisbie proposed and moved a six‑month extension after expressing concern about the project’s changed nature since the PD approval in July 2022; the motion passed unanimously, 5–0.

“We’ve done all the costing for what it’s going to take to build out Wilson Road,” owner Mohammed Al Amin told the commission, estimating that removing trees and addressing drainage could cost “about 300,000, plus” and “we’re looking at almost 400,000” if both sides are remediated. Al Amin said he remains committed to the approved conceptual plan—keeping 24 lots and neighborhood amenities such as the dog park and a walkway—and requested time to finalize engineering and financing arrangements.

City staff told commissioners the plan development (PD) was approved in July 2022 and that the preliminary plat was approaching its two‑year expiration. Staff also explained that the PD approval included a road‑extension requirement for Wilson Road adjacent to the property and that an easement from the school district would revert to the district if the required road work were not constructed within the agreed time window. That easement and the timing of construction were part of the commissioners’ questions about who would bear costs and whether the city would partner on the road extension.

Commissioners repeatedly asked whether the Rowlett Housing Development Corp. (HFC), which had been associated with the project during the PD approval, still had a role; staff said they had seen no recent involvement from the HFC in the ongoing conversations. Several commissioners said they wanted clearer answers from the property owner about the reason development stalled during the two‑year period, and Commissioner Frisbie said a six‑month deadline would prompt “a full explanation” and quick movement if the owner could secure necessary financing.

Al Amin told the commission he had engaged engineering consultants and potential buyers and that cost and tree mitigation—required to build Wilson Road to the city’s standards—had slowed progress. He said he and potential partners planned to move forward under the existing PD and would not change the preliminary plat layout. He asked for a six‑month extension, saying he would be involved “for the next 12, 14 months” and wanted to see construction through.

Staff also cautioned that if the preliminary plat were allowed to expire, the property owner could resubmit a new plat under existing zoning, but doing so would restart application fees and the review process. Staff said any request for city funding for the road would require a development agreement and formal council consideration; there was no current capital‑improvement funding identified to pay for the road or tree remediation.

The commission’s motion to extend the preliminary plat for six months passed 5–0. The owner indicated he would return to follow up and continue work on engineering and financing. The commission did not direct staff to initiate rezoning proceedings at this meeting.