Commission approves Bushnell Acres rezoning after neighbor objections; vote 6-1

The Dallas County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a rezoning for Bushnell Acres on April 21, voting 6-1 to change two parcels (0428100001 and 0428100005) from A-1 to RE-1.

Troy Bushnell said the proposal is similar to a prior application and would divide roughly 21 acres into several lots (noted concept: four 3-acre lots and two 4.5-acre lots). Several neighbors spoke in opposition. "I sent a letter," neighbor Josh Magill told the commission, expressing concern that converting agricultural land to development would set a precedent and lead to more approvals of similar subdivisions. Mike Callan said he opposed the development because of traffic and child-safety concerns; Ed Harney said he was concerned the property could be readily acquired and developed.

Larson, a county staff member, said the property sits between Granger and Woodward, closer to Granger and off Highway 141, has lower CSR ratings and is shown in the Comprehensive Plan as appropriate for residential development. Larson said Secondary Roads has approved the concept of proposed entrances and that subdivision details would be addressed later in the plat process.

A motion by Steigleder to table the petition failed on a 4-3 vote (Steigleder, Hutzell-Dymond, Taylor in favor; Miller, Thompson, Erickson, Hegarty opposed). Thompson then moved to approve the rezoning; Miller seconded. The approval vote was 6-1 with Steigleder the lone dissenting vote.

The commission’s vote was limited to rezoning. Larson emphasized that plat-level reviews, entrance permits and any required grading or floodplain work would be handled in subsequent reviews.