Denison council rezones 5.2 acres near US‑75 to commercial to allow hotel development

The Denison City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Feb. 16 to rezone roughly 5.2 acres on the northwest side of the city from local retail to a commercial zoning district to allow a hotel, motel or extended‑stay residence hotel.

Staff presented the rezoning application, saying it would allow redevelopment of a site currently developed with a La Quinta hotel and that the property sits within the highway‑oriented corridor overlay. "Staff has received an application requesting a rezone of approximately 5.2 acres to the commercial zoning district to allow for potential development of a hotel," said Miss York, a city planning staff member. She told council that the planning and zoning commission recommended approval at its Feb. 10 meeting and that staff recommended approval.

York said the property is on the west side of U.S. 75, north of the IHOP, and maintained that the rezoning would be consistent with Denison's future land‑use plan. She listed the subsequent approvals a developer would need if the rezoning proceeds: platting, site plans, civil engineering plans and a traffic‑impact analysis to address work adjacent to the TxDOT right‑of‑way.

The mayor opened the public hearing; no one from the public spoke, and the hearing was closed. A council member moved to adopt the ordinance to change the zoning from local retail within the highway overlay to commercial; the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The council’s approval clears the zoning hurdle; any future development will be subject to standard site‑plan, platting and traffic‑mitigation reviews and any required TxDOT approvals if work affects state highway right‑of‑way. The matter will move forward administratively if the applicant files the required follow‑on applications.