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Commission discusses creating mixed-use highway zone to regulate truck stops
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed draft language to create a mixed-use highway zoning district and a companion truck-stop ordinance requiring site plans, traffic impact and drainage studies, lighting controls, paved surfaces and engineered driveway permits; staff will revise the drafts and return for further review.
Texarkana planning staff presented a two-ordinance approach May 13 to regulate truck stops inside city limits: one ordinance to create a mixed-use highway zone and a second to set truck-stop-specific rules on definitions, setbacks, screening and operations.
Jamie, planning staff, said the mixed-use highway zone draws lot regulations from the C-3 standard and that the truck-stop ordinance would cover operational requirements. "We've defined truck stop and tractor trailer. We said they can only be located in the mixed-use highway zone... The parking, we said 1 automobile parking space for each 200 square feet of floor space for retail activities. And everything has to be paved," Jamie said.
Staff told the commission applicants for rezoning would need to submit a site plan, a traffic impact study prepared by a professional engineer, and a water-runoff and drainage study at the time of application; an approved driveway permit from RDOT would be required upon rezoning approval. Commissioners discussed access points and agreed truck stops should be located where interstate access is available via adjacent arterials or access roads rather than built as new interstate exits.
"So our purpose is to put them on the interstates, which is, in my opinion, where the developers are gonna wanna put them," Chairman Thomas said, arguing developers will seek locations with easy truck access rather than interior town sites.
Commissioners also debated how to limit repair operations at truck stops. Examples of permissible work included quick repairs to keep a truck moving — wheel-bearing replacements, brake-line repairs, filter changes — but not large-scale disassembly. Members considered adding a time limit on inoperable vehicles (a suggested two-week limit) and a requirement that lighting plans show lumens and direct lighting away from residential districts. Staff said they would draft clearer definitions of "minor" or "light" repair and add lighting-plan and abandoned-vehicle prohibitions to the next draft.
No vote was taken; staff will revise ordinance drafts to reflect the commission's direction and return them for further review.
