Planning commission approves 10.8‑acre land‑use change despite calls for tree protections

The City of Anna Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–1 to amend the Anna 2050 comprehensive‑plan future land‑use designation for a 10.8± acre tract from Estate Residential to Suburban Living.

Staff presented the proposal and explained the amendment would align the tract with the surrounding Liberty Hills development. A staff member summarized the request as "to amend the plan from a state residential to suburban living for 10.8 acres," and recommended approval as written. The commission opened a public hearing and received a single public comment.

Resident Terrell Culbertson told commissioners he was "not opposed to changing the land use" but asked the commission to require tree‑preservation protections specifically for the 10‑acre parcel. Culbertson urged that preservation requirements be incorporated into the development agreement for that tract.

Commissioners and staff clarified the limited scope of that night's action: the commission was voting only on the comprehensive‑plan map amendment, and staff said the annexation and development‑agreement terms would be considered by city council. After discussion about whether the commission could attach additional conditions, the commission moved and approved the map amendment; the chair announced the motion passed 6–1.

The commission’s approval sends the map amendment to city council for final action. Commissioners noted concerns about changing the 2050 plan shortly after its adoption and suggested tree‑preservation issues be raised during council consideration.