Lucas City Council unanimously denies concept to enter development agreement for Stinson Road improvements

The Lucas City Council voted unanimously to deny in concept a proposal to enter a development agreement with Good Luck Real Estate Development LLC to realign and improve the first 1,284 feet of Stinson Road south of West Lucas Road, including a potential right-turn lane.

City staff described the project and its history, saying the concept was first presented in July 2022 and that the city would be legally responsible for the project’s rough-proportional share because the alignment is on the city’s thoroughfare plan. Staff told council the city’s share could be about 95 percent of the cost and cited an approximate $800,000 figure referenced by residents during public comment.

“I did a traffic study,” said Joe Hilburn, the staff member presenting the project, who explained that TxDOT previously completed a warrant study at the current Stinson/Lucas alignment and found conditions that would warrant a signal but would not install a light because of proximity to an existing intersection. Hilburn said TxDOT will only conduct a warrant study on a new alignment after a road exists for study.

Dozens of residents urged the council to reject the concept. “This agreement is asking taxpayers to fund nearly $800,000 — 95 percent of the roadway — for a subdivision that’s only 10 homes,” said Sarah Herzler, who said the proposed alignment would extend Stinson directly into Edgewood Estates and increase through traffic where children walk and play. Several residents asked the council to require a cul-de-sac instead of a through connection.

Residents also criticized the traffic analysis as outdated. “The traffic study dates to 2021,” James Sheridan said, adding that regional growth since then has increased cut-through traffic and could make the study inaccurate.

Council members questioned priorities and funding. One member said the city has many streets in worse condition and that spending scarce maintenance dollars on this project was a low priority. Other members confirmed that while moving the intersection could allow a signal in the future, the county and TxDOT schedules for major corridor projects extend years out and the city currently lacks the funds.

Mayor (presiding) moved to deny the concept in principle to enter the agreement; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Council directed staff to continue discussions with the developer to explore alternatives and to consider amendments to the thoroughfare plan if warranted, rather than approve the project as presented at this time.

The council’s action was procedural — it denied the concept in principle rather than approving detailed contract terms — and leaves open the possibility that the developer could return with a redesigned plan or that the council could revisit the thoroughfare plan and funding later.