Council approves rezoning near Midlothian Heritage High School after developer reduces intensity

The Midlothian City Council voted March 24 to approve a rezoning to a planned development for roughly 7.48 acres near Midlothian Heritage High School after the applicant modified the plan to reduce intensity and add pedestrian infrastructure.

Staff urged denial, citing comprehensive‑plan inconsistency, traffic and buffering concerns; staff recommended the applicant work with staff to mitigate variances. The applicant said it had removed a proposed drive‑through, consolidated phase 3 lots into a single pad, adjusted building footprints and added sidewalks and buffering measures. The applicant also said they had received TxDOT driveway approval.

Several councilmembers said the changes — removing the drive‑through, narrowing uses in the early phases and committing to sidewalks — addressed the body’s prior concerns and would provide neighborhood services as housing nearby is developed. One councilmember opposed the rezoning on traffic and timing grounds related to pending TxDOT work; the motion to approve ultimately passed 5–1.

Council discussion emphasized phased development, the need for future detailed site plans for later phases (phase 3), and the importance of pedestrian connections and buffering. Staff noted that certain monument sign variances and traffic impacts remained concerns that would require mitigation as the project proceeds.

The applicant said phase 1 would include a daycare and infrastructure connections, and that sidewalk construction would be included when phase 1 is built. Council approved the rezoning with conditions; details on the written conditions and any final ordinance language will appear in the April packet.