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Planning commission adopts mixed-use highway zone and truck-stop ordinance; Flying J reported no objection
Summary
Texarkana planners unanimously approved a new Mixed Use Highway zoning ordinance with an 80,000-square-foot minimum lot area and a companion Truck Stop ordinance containing lighting, drainage and an inoperable-vehicle rule; staff said Flying J headquarters raised no objection.
The Texarkana Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an ordinance creating a Mixed Use Highway zone and a companion Truck Stop ordinance that confines truck-stop uses to that new zoning classification and sets regulatory standards.
Staff told the commission it had contacted Flying J headquarters and that a representative, identified as Christine Christie Snyder, had no objection to rezoning the site to Mixed Use Highway. Staff said the ordinances add provisions such as a requirement for a lighting plan, pavement screening, drainage plans for truck stops and a two-week limit on inoperable vehicles. The commission discussed and accepted a proposed minimum lot area of 80,000 square feet for the zone.
A commissioner moved to approve the Mixed Use Highway ordinance as written; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The commission then moved to approve the Truck Stop ordinance; that motion also passed unanimously. Staff noted the Board of Directors (city board) must pass the Mixed Use Highway reclassification before the staff can proceed with rezoning specific parcels under the new zone.
The ordinances were described as additions and amendments to the city’s code; staff said numerical sectioning will change once the updated code is adopted by the board. Commissioners asked about enforcement and the role of the Board of Adjustments for parcel-specific adjustments. The commission recorded votes with Anita Pickett, Jason Dupree, Boots/Max Thomas, Chris Owens, Corey Moggs/Mox and Chairman Neal recorded as voting “Yes.”
Staff said it will proceed with standard follow-up steps to submit the ordinances to the city board and to publish any required notices. The commission’s approvals set the local rules governing where and how truck stops can be sited in future rezoning or permit requests.
