College Station City Council approved multiple rezonings at a March 26 meeting. (Karley Cross/Community Impact)
College Station City Council approved a series of zoning changes and development-related items at its March 26 meeting, clearing the way for new construction, redevelopment of a long-vacant commercial property and updates to how large projects are reviewed.
The vote comes as the city continues to see ongoing growth pressures and redevelopment activity.
About Turkey Creek Road
Council members approved changes allowing a multifamily housing development on about 7 acres at 8650 Turkey Creek Road, next to Lake Walk at Traditions.
Rezoning proposal at 8650 Turkey Creek Road. (Courtesy city of College Station)
The council voted to:
Change zoning from rural to multifamily
Amend the future land-use designation from Neighborhood Center to Urban Residential
City staff said an informational meeting held in January drew in about 16 attendees with no general opposition.
During the public hearing portion of this agenda item, one resident encouraged the council to vote against the rezoning request in favor of an entertainment-focused business center rather than additional housing.
A representative for the developer said market conditions currently favor residential construction, noting student-oriented housing is more financially viable than commercial development.
The council unanimously approved this request.
About the former Applebee’s
Next, the council approved rezoning for 1.24 acres at 200 Texas Ave., the site of the former Applebee’s restaurant off University Drive.
The zoning change converts the property from Commercial Industrial to a Planned Mixed Use District.
Rezoning proposal at 200 Texas Ave. (Courtesy city of College Station)
According to city discussion with the development team, the project is expected to bring a Hampton Inn hotel to the site.
Mayor John Nichols expressed appreciation that the property, which has been vacant for several years, is moving toward redevelopment.
About the UDO
In a separate action, council members changed the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to planning development districts.
The updates address:
Development requirements
Concept plan expectations
Community benefit considerations for large-scale projects
The council first reviewed the proposed changes last November before approving the ordinance amendments following a public hearing.
City officials said the revisions will guide how future planned developments are brought up and looked into.
Another change
The council then approved multiple easement abandonments tied to upcoming construction projects and property improvements.
Approved items include:
725 University Drive - Culpepper at TAMU subdivision
Seven utility, sewer and water easements were abandoned to allow construction on the site. Existing utilities will be relocated. New easements have already been dedicated.
A portion of a public utility easement was abandoned to allow the installation of a residential swimming pool. A 10-foot utility easement will remain along the property line. City documents say there is no public use or need for the easement.
Final takeaways
All zoning and development-related items were approved unanimously, pointing to continued redevelopment activity across College Station as the city plans for future growth.
The March 26 meeting held several major topics, including the commitment to spending more than $28 million to add three new water wells in the city and tackling affordable housing. The city approved reallocating from a different fund sources for renters and buyers programs.
