HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/2026 - Regular Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionFebruary 19, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 7
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting February 19, 2026
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Jason Cornelius, Aron Collins, Tre Watson, Warren Finch, David Higdon, Marcus Chaloupka, Warren Finch, and Michael Buckley COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Melissa McIlhaney CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer Carol Cotter, Assistant Director of Economic Development Brian Piscacek, Economic Development Manager
Wendee Anderson, Senior Planner Jeff Howell, Staff Planner Gabriel Schrum, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Sr. Assistant City Attorney Aaron Longoria, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Technology Services Specialist Trey Bransom 1. Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request.
Chairperson Cornelius called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Hear Visitors
No visitors spoke.
3. Consent Agenda
3.1 Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• January 15, 2026
Commissioner Higdon moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Watson seconded the motion, the motion passed 7-0.
4. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on items removed from the Consent Agenda by Commission Action. No items were removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
5. Regular Agenda
5.1 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending the College Station Comprehensive Plan by adopting the updated Economic Development Master Plan. Case #CPA2026-000002 (Note: Final action on this item will
be considered at the February 26, 2026, City Council Meeting - Subject to change.)
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Assistant Director of Economic Development Piscacek provided a brief overview of the item to the Commission and introduced John Karras and Erica Colston from TIP Strategies
Inc. to present the updated Economic Development Master Plan to the Commission
recommending approval for forwarding to the City Council. Commissioner Higdon asked how it is planned to leverage Texas A&M University (TAMU).
Ms. Colston stated that leveraging TAMU is related to highlighting assets within the community from a cultural standpoint. Commissioner Higdon asked where housing comes into the equation when attracting new
businesses. Assistant Director Piscacek clarified that the plan refers to existing to planning methods being implemented with the Housing Action Plan.
Commissioner Higdon asked if staff have made a comparison on the economic impact of new housing verses the sales tax and property tax impact. Assistant Director Piscacek stated that the plan focuses on the quality of life and identity.
Commissioner Higdon asked if there will be a comparison where the 2021 plan fell short. Assistant Director Piscacek stated that the previous plan was incorporated into the development of the current plan.
Commissioner Chaloupka expressed concern for not seeing a difference in the current plan, from past plans. Commissioner Watson requested information on the quality of living for current and generational residents.
Commissioner Collins asked if there is any initiative in collaborating with the City of Bryan. Ms. Colston clarified that there is coordination with sister cities such as the City of Bryan
which is a key purpose of the ignition goal. Mr. Karras included references with collaboration with the two cities via the Greater Brazos Partnership.
Commissioner Collins requested regular collaboration between the City of College Station and City of Bryan Planning & Zoning Commissioners.
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Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing. Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of the Economic Development
Master Plan. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion. Commissioner Chaloupka expressed that he will not support the adoption of the update. Commissioner Collins requested a strategic outline on the City of Bryan being incorporated
in the planning process, more information on the quality of life for citizens aged 22-35, and emphasis on the success of current businesses. Commissioner Buckley asked for additional information and evaluation on why the City of College Station Economic Plan has not been successful.
Commissioner Higdon expressed that he will not support the adoption of the update. Chairperson Cornelius asked what would happen to the timeline on this item if the Commission tabled the item for further discussion.
Director Armstrong clarified that the Commission could vote as they see fit and the item will move to the City Council’s discretion. The motion was approved 4-3 with Commissioners Chaloupka, Buckley, and Higdon voting in opposition. 5.2 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 3 “Development Review Procedures”, Section 3.5 “Concept Plans (P-MUD and PDD Districts)” of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, by amending certain sections relating to
requirements, concept plans, and community benefits for PDD Planned Development Districts. Case #ORDA2024-000004 (Note: Final action on this item will be considered at the March 26, 2026, City Council meeting - Subject to change).
Senior Planner Howell presented the ordinance amendment to the Commission
recommending approval. Commissioner Collins asked who approves offsets.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that offsets are approved by the City Council.
Chairperson Cornelius asked for clarification on the last time this ordinance was updated.
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Senior Planner Howell confirmed that in late 2024 the City Council directed staff to gather additional input on the amendment.
Commissioner Chaloupka requested clarification on the justification and policing of the ordinance benefits. Senior Planner Howell stated that previously there was a point system associated with the
benefits, currently there is a list of suggestions dependent on the size and nature of the development. Commissioner Collins asked for clarification that this allows for more flexibility but still preserves the City Council’s ability for discretion.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed that this modification allows for more flexibility.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
Veronica Morgan, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, College Station, spoke in support of the ordinance changes and modifications. Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing. Commissioner Collins moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment. Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion; the motion was approved 7-0. 5.3 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 4, "Zoning Districts,"
Section 4.2 “Official Zoning Map,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas by changing the zoning district boundary from CI Commercial Industrial to P-MUD Planned Mixed Use District for approximately 1.24 acres at 200 Texas Avenue, generally located northwest of the intersection of Texas Avenue and University Drive. Case #REZ2025-000021 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at the March 26,
2026, City Council Meeting – Subject to change). Staff Planner Schrum presented the rezoning to the Commission recommending approval.
Commissioner Cornelius asked why the applicant is requesting a modification that the
ground floor area of structures be 18% of the lot area instead of the required minimum 25%. Staff Planner Schrum clarified that it was staff’s discretion that the community benefits combined with the modifications, aligned with the request.
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Arjun Demla, Owner, Dallas, Texas, was available to answer questions from the Commission.
Rishi Kaithala, Applicant, Triangle Engineering, Allen, Texas, was available to answer questions from the Commission. Humberto Lopez, Architect, Type Six Design, Grapevine, Texas, was available to answer
questions from the Commission. Chairperson Cornelius asked why the applicant is requesting modifications to the requirements from 25% to 18%.
Mr. Demla explained that the required hotel porte-cochere and pool elements require a lot of space, further explaining that the development would be built more vertically than other Hilton developments. Commissioner Collins asked for clarification on the number of stories in the development.
Mr. Demla confirmed that the development will be six-stories in height.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing. Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of the rezoning. Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion; the motion was approved 7-0. 5.4 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan - Future Land Use & Character Map from Neighborhood Center to Urban Residential for approximately 7.02 acres at 8650 Turkey
Creek Road. Case #CPA2025-000002 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered
at the March 26, 2026, City Council Meeting - Subject to change).
5.5 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 4, “Zoning Districts,”
Section 4.2 “Official Zoning Map,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas by changing the zoning district boundaries from R Rural to MF Multi- Family for approximately 7.02 acres generally located southwest of the intersection of Turkey Creek Road and Health Science Parkway. Case #REZ2025-000027 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at the March 26, 2026, City Council Meeting –
Subject to change).
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Presentations, discussions, and public hearings on agenda items #5.4 and #5.5 were held together.
Staff Planner Schrum presented the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning to the Commission recommending approval. Commissioner Collins asked if this proposed development is similar to the adjacent
property. Staff Planner Schrum confirmed the similarity.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
Payton Holt, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in opposition to the rezoning citing concerns for the master plan and lack of a business center hub. Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of the comprehensive plan amendment. Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion; the motion was approved 6-1 with Commissioner Higdon voting in opposition. Commissioner Watson moved to recommend approval of the rezoning. Commissioner Buckley seconded the motion; the motion was approved 6-1 with Commissioner Higdon voting in opposition. 6. Informational Agenda
6.1 Discussion of new development applications submitted to the City. New Development
Link: www.cstx.gov/newdev
There was no discussion.
6.2 Presentation and discussion regarding an update on items heard:
• An ordinance amending Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 11, "Definitions," Section 11.2 "Defined Terms" of the Code of ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, regarding the definition of family. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on January 15, 2026 and voted (5-0) to recommend approval of the rezoning. The City Council heard this item on
January 22, 2026 and voted (7-0) to approve the request.
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, February 26, 2026 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~
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Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, March 19, 2026 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, March 26, 2026 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ OpenMeeting 6:00 p.m.
There was no discussion.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board,
BioCorridor Board, and Impact Fee Advisory Committee.
•An ordinance amending Chapter 107, “Impact Fees”, Article II, “System-WideImpact Fees”, Section 107-73, “System-Wide Roadway Impact Fees”, of the Codeof Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, to amend the roadway impact
fee collection rates to zero. The Impact Fee Advisory Committee heard this item onJanuary 7, 2026 and voted (4-2) to recommend setting the Roadway Impact Fees to$0.00. The City Council heard this item on January 22, 2026 and voted (5-2) tomaintain the existing rates.
There was no discussion.
7.Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
Chairperson Cornelius requested a joint City of College Station and City of Bryan Planning& Zoning Commission meeting.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
Jason Cornelius, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services