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Council approves Rancho Lago rezoning and development agreement with park and road commitments
Summary
Council approved the Rancho Lago PD and associated development agreement and PID to create roughly 600 lots and a 54‑acre public park; discussion focused on traffic on FM‑1387, timing for Hayes Road construction, and sidewalk/fence standards.
On April 28 the Midlothian City Council approved a large rezoning and development agreement for Rancho Lago, a roughly 248‑acre project from Bloomfield Homes that will encompass Windridge Phase 2 and add about 503 net new lots. The council vote to approve the development agreement and related PID measures passed 5–2.
Developer representatives and land planners presented the plan, which includes 600 total lots (including Windridge Phase 2), a 54‑acre park to be dedicated to the city, a 10‑foot regional trail through open space, and a multi‑phase build‑out that the developer says will prioritize construction of Hayes Road to provide east‑west connectivity. Aaron Dunnington, the project land planner, said the developer intends initial phasing in the Windridge area and early construction of Hays Road to alleviate traffic on FM‑1387: "The idea is… getting Hayes Road built will really be kind of the first phase of the project," he said.
Traffic and safety were the chief concerns voiced by residents. Twin Creeks resident Kelly Bilka urged a continuance and asked the council to require a comprehensive traffic impact analysis and phased occupancy tied to completed infrastructure, citing existing congestion and safety issues on FM‑1387. Hans Koker and other speakers described long delays and daily backups on that corridor and urged caution before adding housing at scale.
Council members debated density, building height, mixed‑use vs. multifamily ratios, and when industrial connections and arterial upgrades would be delivered. Clyde Mulek (staff) summarized key elements of the development agreement discussed in workshops: in exchange for the 54‑acre park the developer would construct sections of Hayes Road and the parties would reconcile final developer costs with bid results; the agreement requires the developer to spend not less than $3,300,000 on the park and to participate in right‑of‑way and construction for Hays Road. "The developer will be constructing it; we will get pay apps and pay them as constructed," Clyde said, describing how costs and reimbursements will be established.
Council amended the PID/sidewalk proposal to require sidewalks on both sides of local streets and to require opaque fencing for lots when a trail or public right‑of‑way lies within 50 feet of a rear lot line and vertical separation is less than six feet; those amendments were included in the motion the council adopted. After debate the council approved the development agreement and related motions.
Next steps: the developer will submit design and construction plans consistent with the PD and development agreement; the city and developer will finalize the PID service and assessment plan and county/state agency approvals and TxDOT discussions will continue on FM‑1387 improvements.
