Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Mcintosh topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council denies mixed‑use rezoning for McIntosh Parkway site
Summary
Newman City Council voted to deny a rezoning to allow 329 apartments, 70 townhomes and commercial space at 3000 McIntosh Parkway, citing service and school impacts, prior settlement expectations for commercial frontage, and concerns over traffic and density.
The Newman City Council on Nov. 25 voted to deny a rezoning petition (RZ2025-01) to change roughly 29.26–29.96 acres at 3000 McIntosh Parkway from general commercial (CGN) to a mixed-use development (MXD) zoning that would have allowed up to 329 apartments, 70 townhomes and about 27,000 square feet of commercial space.
Staff summarized the application and associated Development-of-Regional-Impact review, noting the proposal generally met most rezoning standards but raised concerns about school impacts and public-service capacity. Staff reported residential impact fees of roughly $400,000 and that the applicant estimated about $2.3 million in additional fair market value. The planning commission earlier recommended denial (6–0), and staff presented a set of conditions should the council consider approval, including caps on unit counts and adherence to the city's tree plan and architectural commitments.
Melissa Griffith (Horn & Griffith) and Paul Austin (Oxford Properties) presented for the applicant and described a design with a mixed-use parcel along McIntosh Parkway (ground-floor retail and upper-level residential), a central plaza, and a separate townhome parcel across Wilwat Way. Developers said the plan provides a mix of housing options and pedestrian connections and proffered a $50,000 contribution toward pedestrian-safety improvements if the council reduces the McIntosh Parkway speed limit from 45 to 35 mph, enabling an RRFB (rectangular rapid-flashing beacon).
Residents and several councilmembers urged caution. Critics cited a prior 2008 settlement agreement that envisioned commercial frontage along McIntosh Parkway and said the city has not seen the promised commercial development; others pointed to school capacity, traffic and the existing condition of McIntosh Parkway. Staff and the applicant emphasized that commercial development had not materialized on parts of the site and that the MXD would add mixed uses and amenities.
Following extended discussion, the council voted to deny the rezoning. The transcript records the motion carried by a 5–1 tally on the denial motion. The denial preserves the existing CGN zoning; the applicant may revise and return, or pursue development consistent with current zoning.
Next steps: The denial is final for this hearing; any future zoning change would require a new application and public review.
