Council approves Cobell Crossing PUD amendment allowing up to 850 units; developer commits drainage plans

Planning staff described an amendment to the Cobell Crossing planned unit development to combine northern development areas and expand the maximum number of residential units to 850 while allowing a mix of residential and commercial uses.

Todd McInnis, representing the applicant, said the change responds to market demand created by incoming retail and that the project team is negotiating right-of-way and drainage commitments. McInnis said he will provide a signed letter committing to grant rights outside the project’s retaining wall where feasible.

A nearby resident identified as Mrs. Miller raised detailed concerns about flood plain mapping, a breached dam, silted retention ponds and slope fill that she said may reduce the amount of buildable land and place drainage responsibilities on future homeowners. Mrs. Miller cited a 2023 capacity study recommending raising an earthen dam and removing sediment and said those items did not appear to have been completed.

McInnis and staff replied the site is subject to an evolving master drainage plan under city review; the applicant said city staff will ensure compliance with FEMA and state environmental requirements and that no private HOA will be assigned maintenance responsibility for facilities outside code. After questions about right-of-way for a service road and other connectivity issues, council voted to approve the PUD amendment (motion passed 5–0).

Council’s recorded action permits the rezoning as presented and signals further engineering and platting steps ahead; staff indicated additional plan revisions will be required before plat approval.