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Midlothian planning commission approves Bridgewater expansion, Main Street Town Crossing site plan and several rezoning requests; continues church design
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Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission on April 28 approved a major expansion of the Bridgewater development, a 140,000-square-foot anchor at Main Street Town Crossing, and several rezoning and site-plan requests, denied multiple group-home SUPs after strong neighborhood opposition, and continued a Life Church design for revised elevations.
The Midlothian Planning and Zoning Commission approved several major development proposals at its April 28 meeting, including an expansion of the Bridgewater master plan and a detailed site plan for a 140,000-square-foot retail anchor at Main Street Town Crossing, while continuing one high-profile amendment to allow the applicant to finalize building elevations.
Staff told commissioners the Bridgewater expansion would add roughly 593.9 acres to the existing PD, fold in the so‑called seal tract and deliver a mix of single‑family lots, townhomes, mixed‑use buildings with ground‑floor retail and some light industrial space. Developer Ben Lukey of Hanover Property Company said the plan preserves open space, adds creek crossings and trails and will include roadway improvements such as an ultimate section of Hayes Road and a traffic signal at Walnut Grove and Bridgewater. The commission voted 4–1 to approve the PD amendment after asking staff and the developer about school-district impacts and the timing and funding for road improvements.
Staff and the applicant also presented a detailed site plan for Main Street Town Crossing Phase 2, seeking approval for building elevations, landscaping and a driveway‑spacing variance (proposed 134 feet versus the 200‑foot standard). John Weber, the project developer, said the building includes added vertical and horizontal articulation and a four‑sided facade to meet city design expectations. Commissioners approved the site plan and the requested variances by voice vote, 5–0.
Other approvals included a rezoning to create two single‑family SF‑2 lots at 1850 McAlpin Road (approved 4–1) and a PD amendment to allow a 137,760‑square‑foot distribution and office facility for Encore, which passed 4–0. A request for a specific‑use permit to drill a water well at 1625 Misty Wood Drive to supply cattle was approved 5–0; staff said the Prairie Land Groundwater Conservation District had already authorized the well.
At the same meeting commissioners denied three separate specific‑use permits for proposed family‑based assisted‑living group homes after extended public comment from neighbors about septic capacity, emergency response times and neighborhood compatibility. The commission also continued a proposed Life Church campus in PD 179 to allow the applicant to revise building elevations and address staff concerns about parking and “Old Town” architectural elements.
The commission closed the meeting after staff announced a mandatory board and commissioners training in July. The Bridgewater and Main Street approvals now move toward city council review for final action where required.
