Developer requests more time; Waxahachie council continues Conquest Boulevard zoning review to Nov. 17

A developer representative asked Waxahachie City Council on Oct. 20 to continue a public hearing on a zoning change for property east of 2050 Conquest Boulevard (ZDC 91‑2024) until the Nov. 17 meeting so the applicant and property owner could resolve higher-than-expected infrastructure costs and finalize stakeholder buy‑in.

The representative said the team has spent more than $300,000 on designs and submittals and encountered “goal‑post” changes from technical reviews, including street and alley adjustments required by the fire marshal that raised construction costs. “We’ve worked with Zach King and all his staff over a long period of time … we really didn’t get into the top design of the neighborhood until we have stakeholder buy‑in,” the representative said.

Several council members voiced concern about repeated continuances. Councilman Wright said multiple delays erode confidence and suggested sending the item back to Planning & Zoning for further review if the plans change substantially. “If you guys are having such a hard time figuring out what you’re gonna do, you don’t give me any confidence that this would be the sixth time you’ve asked for a continuance,” Wright said.

City planning staff (Trenton) said that if any material changes are made to the approved site plan, the council should remand the proposal to Planning & Zoning; otherwise, a single continuance to Nov. 17 would be manageable. After debate, Councilmember (speaker 3) moved to continue ZDC 91‑2024 to the Nov. 17 council meeting; a second was recorded and the motion carried by voice vote.

Decision and next steps: Council continued the public hearing to Nov. 17. Staff advised the applicant that any material changes should be reviewed again by Planning & Zoning; if no changes occur, the applicant may return to council with the existing plan.