Council denies commercial rezoning request, approves annexation and a large preliminary plat

Willow Park’s City Council on March 24 denied a rezoning request for a small lot at 6603 East Bankhead while approving two larger land-use actions: annexation of the Clarion development and the preliminary plat for Beldine Ranch.

Zoning request denied: The owner of 6603 East Bankhead, who identified himself at the meeting, said the parcel is better suited to commercial use and that a golf-cart retail store is lined up. Staff confirmed the current application requests rezoning from R1 (single-family) to Class 3 business/commercial. Several council members expressed concern that approving broad commercial zoning would allow a wide range of future uses (including uses the council might not favor) if the initial tenant did not remain; council members said they would prefer a more restrictive local-retail designation with a special-use permit for the specific business. By motion, the council denied the zoning change as presented and directed that an alternative zoning application or special-use pathway be pursued.

Annexation approved: Council approved an ordinance annexing approximately 61.405 acres (the Clarion development on Crown Road, formerly called the Bluffs) into city limits; staff said the developer requested the annexation and is not seeking incentives. Council welcomed the development and the related property tax base described in staff materials.

Preliminary plat approved: The council also approved the preliminary plat for the Beldine Ranch development (about 317.732 acres). Staff noted the project is proposed in phases, has a recent grading permit, and sewer bidding for phase two is underway.

Next steps: The denied rezoning applicant may reapply for a different zoning district or pursue a specific-use permit; the Clarion annexation ordinance takes effect as provided in the ordinance and the Beldine project will proceed through subsequent plat and permitting phases.