The overview
In a 5-1 vote, the city's planning and zoning commission approved a rezoning request for 21 acres of land from Interstate Commercial to Planned Development, or PD, with a base zoning of Interstate 35 Business District, or B-3, on Nov. 12. B-3 zoning is intended to provide a location for general retail and commercial activities that serve the community and visitors, according to the city's development code.
Chair Emily Jones was the single dissenting vote.
What you need to know
The commission expressed concerns regarding landscaping, pedestrian mobility, traffic impacts and the proposal fitting with the intent of a PD zoning district, Public Information Officer Michelle Henley said in an email to Community Impact. The rezoning would allow H-E-B to develop a 135,000-square-foot grocery store with a drive-thru restaurant, pharmacy and garden center, according to agenda documents.
Some background
The property was previously used as a landfill and requires significant remediation to develop it. The applicant estimates that they will need to dig down 20 feet to remove the contaminated soil from the construction footprint and replace it with new soil at least 6 feet above its existing grade, agenda documents state.
Next steps
Henley said the item is scheduled to be presented to Buda City Council on Dec. 3.