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Plan commission unanimously denies proposed 85-unit Bobtown development amid traffic and density objections
Summary
Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a developer's request to rezone roughly 9.6 acres on Bobtown Road for an 85-unit detached single-family planned development, citing too many deviations from the Garland Development Code and concerns about traffic, lot sizes, and neighborhood compatibility; multiple neighbors urged denial during public comment.
The Plan Commission unanimously denied a rezoning request for 4802 and 4718 Bobtown Road on March 9 after extended testimony from staff, the applicant and multiple neighbors who said the project would worsen already-congested local streets.
Staff recommended denial for Z2604, saying the applicant's requested deviations for lot size, architectural relief and other design elements would produce a product incompatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Maxwell Fisher, representing the applicant, described plans for 85 detached single-family units (about 8.8 units per acre) with 1,600'2,400-square-foot houses, guest parking, a pocket park and masonry screening but acknowledged several deviations from the Garland Development Code.
Neighbors and homeowners' association representatives pressed commissioners on traffic, road conditions and density. Paul Cross, vice president and secretary of the Crystal Lake Homeowners Association, said, “We have horrible traffic and worse the roads,” and urged denial and impact fees to make developers bear the cost of needed improvements. Michael Howard, an adjacent property owner, said traffic already blocks his driveway during peak times. Tommy King, another nearby resident, echoed concerns about cut-through traffic and asked about screening.
Commissioners cited the number and depth of requested deviations and recurring traffic concerns. Commissioner Cornelius said the deviations "isn't sitting well" and supported staff's recommendation; Commissioner Perris moved to accept staff's recommendation to deny the application and Commissioner Dalton seconded. The motion to deny passed unanimously.
Because the commission's action was a denial, the applicant may revise the proposal or pursue other options; staff noted that any future submittal should address the design deviations, buffering and traffic-generation concerns raised by commissioners and neighbors.
