Keller Planning & Zoning Commission approves Kroger Marketplace, mixed-use development

Kroger's plans to relocate to a new spot cleared a hurdle when the Keller Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a specific use permit for a Kroger Marketplace with a gas station at its Sept. 8 meeting.

A proposal for a mixed-use development called Samantha Springs Commerce, which would have 31 brownstone homes, passed unanimously at the same meeting.

Kroger Marketplace

Kroger presented plans for a new location on 16.3 acres at 1025 Keller Parkway, according to previous reporting. The current location at 976 Keller Parkway would close, according to the presentation.

The proposal was passed 3-2, with Erin Pfarner and Michelle Sandoval Cabanas voting against the plan for the store.

“It’s cheaper to build a brand new store,” said John Votava, director of corporate affairs at Kroger, explaining why they are not renovating the current location.

Kroger had proposed plans for the new location in 2016 and it was approved, but the project did not move forward, according to the city staff presentation to the commission.

Votava, a Keller resident, said this proposal is about 20,000 square feet smaller than the 2016 plans. He noted the store would have a dedicated pickup area in the back of the building while adding home goods offerings, toys, school and office equipment, a Murray's Cheese shop and a Pax & Beneficia coffee shop.

There were lengthy discussions in both public comments and among the commission and staff about traffic concerns near Keller Parkway/FM 1709 and its proximity to Keller High School and the Keller ISD Athletic Complex.

Another topic was what would happen at the current Kroger location if the move were to happen. Resident Nathaniel Dunning said he often goes to Jabo’s Ace Hardware and sees the vacant space left when Big Lots closed in early 2025.

Craig Winkler, senior construction manager at Kroger for the region, said it is hard to market the current property without knowing the approval status for the new location.

“We own the property, so it’s not in our interests to have an empty building sitting there,” he said.

Votava said the three newest Kroger Marketplace locations in the area opened in Fort Worth on East Bonds Ranch Road and in Plano and Little Elm. Locations in the Sendera Ranch area of Fort Worth and Anna are set to open later this year.

Samantha Springs Commerce

Samantha Springs Commerce is a proposed development on 15.63 acres at 800 N. Main St that would include brownstones and commercial opportunities. There would be 8.19 acres of non-residential development space and 3.27 acres of open space, according to previous reporting.

Jason Claunch from Catalyst Commercial requested the future land use plan amendment from retail/commercial and patio/garden/townhome to mixed-use. There was also a request from commercial/light industrial to proposed planned development.

In the presentation, Claunch said the mixed-use development would activate the US 377 corridor and provide an efficient use of the land.

Three existing structures on the property will remain. According to the presentation, the former Shannon Brewing Company, which closed in 2023, would be reactivated with a new brewery tenant planned. The other buildings were Harvest Christian Center Church and the Samantha Springs water bottling plant. The bottling plant and church would be repurposed for new uses, according to city documents.

The brownstone homes would have a front porch or covered stoop, a dedicated courtyard with a minimum of one ornamental tree and a two-car garage, according to the presentation. A homeowners association will be required and responsible for maintenance of all landscaping and open space within the residential area.

What's next?

With both items garnering approval from planning and zoning, Keller City Council will hear the items and take possible action on both at the Oct. 6 meeting.