Planning commission approves PUD overlay for 1609 Old Dicey Road, sets 18,000-sq.-ft. minimum lot

The Weatherford Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4–2 on May 13 to recommend a planned unit development (PUD) overlay for a 21.13-acre tract at 1609 Old Dicey Road that would allow 27 single-family lots, an amenity park lot and two detention basins, and to attach a concept plan to the ordinance. The commission amended staff’s table to require a minimum lot size of 18,000 square feet before forwarding the item to City Council.

The proposal, presented by city staff, would reduce minimum lot depths to as little as 150 feet and allow lot widths generally exceeding 121 feet; staff said most proposed lots will be wider and fewer will be at the reduced depth. The overlay also calls for houses of at least 2,500 square feet and multiple architectural elements per home. "This is their proposed site plan," staff member Sergio told commissioners while explaining lot widths and depths and that drainage and infrastructure will be reviewed during civil plan review.

Neighbors at the public hearing urged caution. Janice Burgess, who lives adjacent to a retention pond, said, "Building buildings and retention ponds right there next to my property is not gonna help at all," and asked for assurance that the hill behind her home will not cause further damage. James Wright warned, "When it rains, it's a flood," and said existing erosion and a steep creek bed already threaten nearby yards. Several speakers, including Lisa Caitlin of the local realtor committee, expressed concerns about traffic and floodplain impacts; Caitlin asked whether the two concurrent developments together would amount to 97 new homes.

Applicant Richard Teague said the new product aims to preserve similar square footage while providing larger backyard space for families. "This product...gives the same square footage as houses across the road... The only reason this was brought up is that we wanted to be able to give families...bigger backyards," Teague said.

City staff and the applicant told the commission that engineering-level drainage and erosion controls are reviewed at the civil plan stage, not during zoning. "That will be done at the time that we get civil engineering plans," a staff speaker said, adding that detention ponds and post-development flow studies will be required.

Commissioners debated whether the PUD's reduction in lot depth would undermine the existing character of the area. Several commissioners asked staff to reflect the actual proposed minimum lot area shown on the concept plan and to attach the concept plan to the zoning ordinance so that future changes would require return to the commission and council. The commission approved staff’s recommendation with an amendment to set the minimum lot size at 18,000 square feet.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation and the attached concept plan will be sent to the Weatherford City Council for final action. Because drainage details and civil engineering remain to be submitted, neighbors may have additional opportunities to comment during permitting and council review.