Commission approves rezoning of two Road Loop parcels to single-family residential

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to rezone roughly 10.5 acres at 1917 and 1933 Road Loop from Agricultural Development Reserve to single-family residential.

City planning staff (speaker 4) told the commission the parcels meet the comprehensive plan's suburban residential designation and that the single-family residential district requires a mix of lot sizes, with minimum 7,500-square-foot lots and at least 10% of lots at 9,000 square feet or larger. Staff also noted the Road Loop reconstruction is part of the city's 2020 transportation bond and is slated to begin in late 2024, which contributed to staff's recommendation for approval.

Two residents spoke during the public hearing. Sam Shaikh (speaker 6), who identified himself as the broker on the file and a Pflugerville resident, asked what commercial uses a single-family mixed-use (SFMU) district would allow and said the property owner preferred a residential site plan at present. "So my name is Sam Shaikh ... these 2 parcels are listed ... and what we want to do is maximize the potential for their property to move at a higher price as well as we're working towards a site plan for single family residential development," he said. Beverly Darlek (speaker 9), a neighbor at 1948 Row Loop, said she opposed zoning higher than single-family residential for parcels adjacent to her property: "I am very against going anything above SFR."

Commissioners discussed whether the preliminary plan stage would trigger a traffic impact analysis and what improvements Road Loop would receive. Staff (speaker 4) explained rezoning is followed by a preliminary-plan phase that addresses water, wastewater, street access and whether additional right-of-way or a TIA are required; the subdivision may or may not trigger a TIA depending on engineering thresholds. Staff also said the Road Loop reconstruction would generally entail rebuilding road base and repaving rather than widening the road or adding sidewalks as part of the bond package; sidewalks would be required later in any new subdivision where appropriate.

Commissioner (speaker 3) moved to approve the rezoning to single-family residential; the motion was seconded and carried by majority voice vote despite recorded nay votes from Commissioner (speaker 2) and the Chair (speaker 1). The commission approved the rezoning and the matter will proceed as directed under local procedures for subsequent preliminary-plan review.