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Fulshear City Council approved a rezoning request May 20 for Fulshear Crossing, a business park, aimed at bringing entertainment, retail and senior living to McKinnon Road, near Aspen Utility Company.
The gist
The rezoning request by McKinnon Interests LLC will change 43.5 acres on McKinnon Road from estate residential to general commercial, according to agenda documents.
The rezoning request was previously denied last fall, when City Council members cited resident concerns, lack of taxable revenue and concerns with changing zoning when other developmental land is available.
Zooming in
The business park will bring spaces for offices and businesses as well as an added senior living area, said Chris Nichols, legal council for the development.
According to agenda documents, the breakdown for the land includes:
What they’re saying
Several residents, including Jeff Roberts, cited their opposition to rezone the property citing the city’s land use plan. Other concerns included increased traffic and property value fluctuations.
“The developer knew it was [estate residential] when they bought it,” he said. “We need commercial area, but we have commercial area. If those developers want to build and make commercial properties, they had the right to buy commercial property.”
Council member Kent Pool said changing this property from estate residential sets a precedent, which is a “slippery slope” for future rezoning requests.
“I want to hold the line on estate residential because it’s a place that makes Fulshear special,” he said. “Going down Bois D’Arc and seeing the livestock and everything that is there, that’s what makes this city; not any other city has that around here.”
However, council member Patrick Powers said the development is a chance to expand the city’s tax base with 84% of the city’s revenue coming from single-family rooftops. He also cited the the loss of funds
“We have a very unhealthy tax base,” he said. “Without commercial development, it will mean higher taxes and fewer services down the road.”
Something to note
In April 2024, City Council denied a rezoning request for a 3.21-acre area from a general commercial district to a downtown district for the proposed Bois D’Arc townhomes, which would have been located west of the Fulshear Crossing.
What’s next
Developers anticipate construction completion within three years, Nichols said.
