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Benbrook council denies rezoning request for 61.31-acre Rowan Ranch
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing and staff presentation, the Benbrook City Council voted to deny a request to rezone roughly 61.31 acres (Rowan Ranch) from CPD to APD, citing conformity with Ordinance 14-90 and Planning & Zoning's recommendation to deny.
The Benbrook City Council on April 16 denied a rezoning request for approximately 61.31 acres known as Rowan Ranch, a decision the council said preserves an area previously governed by Ordinance 14-90.
The application, filed to change the designation of a portion of the tract from CPD (planned development) to APD (a different planned development), was presented by Ron Ramirez of Evolving Texas. Ramirez told the council the proposed change would align the site with the city's future land use map, provide larger single-family lots in the rezoned area, and include a "Marys Creek resilience" flood-reclamation component that, he said, could remove "60 or so homes from the floodplain." City planning staff, represented by Doug Howard, recommended denial and noted that Ordinance 14-90 had established Area 2 as privately retained open space and that amending any part of that ordinance would require the full rezoning process through the Planning & Zoning Commission and council.
Residents and landowners weighed in during the public hearing. Opponents emphasized flood risk and said thousands of petition signatures and numerous public comments were against the change. Audra Andrews, who said her home is within the Marys Creek floodway, urged the council to "continue to follow our comprehensive plan" and not build in the floodplain. Supporters, including landowner Corey Waldrop of Chapin Holdings, said they had invested millions in due diligence and asked for clearer guidance on what additional steps would satisfy the council.
Councilmember Tyner moved to deny the rezoning request "as presented tonight," Councilmember Mackey seconded, and the motion carried. Mayor Jason Ward announced "Application denied." The motion aligned council action with the recommendation the Planning & Zoning Commission made earlier to deny the request and with the preservation elements in Ordinance 14-90.
The council did not direct staff to draft an alternative ordinance or schedule a follow-up; it denied the application and closed the agenda item. Further applications or map amendments would require future formal submissions to Planning & Zoning and council action.
