Council hears H‑E‑B development plan for Firewheel site; staff says details will follow

Staff presented a development agreement in principle with H‑E‑B that would bring a full‑service grocery to a pad at Firewheel and George Bush. Assistant City Manager Andy Hessler said the company has met its site criteria and staff expects to return to council with formal contract terms once the property closing is complete. "We have a deal in principle, and we will be bringing forth in the coming weeks the final details," Hessler said. The presentation noted the project could raise property values on currently ag‑exempt land.

Council members asked about traffic and site access; Council Member Thomas observed traffic was the most common concern from neighbors and asked whether H‑E‑B had proposed entrance locations. Hessler replied that ingress and egress are handled in the site‑plan process and any needed improvements would be addressed at that time, and that a Trafker/380 agreement and standard incentives are expected to follow. No formal vote was taken; staff described the presentation as an introductory briefing and said more detailed agreement language will be returned to the council once the property closing and site planning are underway.