HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/2026 - Regular Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionApril 2, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 9
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting April 2, 2026
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Jason Cornelius, Aron Collins, Tre Watson,
Warren Finch, David Higdon, and Michael Buckley
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Marcus Chaloupka COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Melissa McIlhaney and Scott Shafer
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer Carol Cotter, Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Richard Mann, Transportation Planning Administrator Jason Schubert, Land Development Review Administrator Robin Macias, Staff
Planner Garrett Segraves, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Deputy City
Attorney Leslie Whitten, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, Lead Technology Services Specialist Lillian Wells, and Technology Services Specialist Adam Rene 1. Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request.
Chairperson Cornelius called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. Hear Visitors
Caleb Elarabi, Texas A&M University, addressed the Commission to promote the Community Resource and Health Fair on April 26, 2026.
3. Consent Agenda
3.1 Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• February 19, 2026
Commissioner Higdon moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Watson seconded the motion, the motion passed 6-0. 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.
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5. Regular Agenda
5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a discretionary item to the Unified
Development Ordinance Section 8.4.C.4.b ‘Adequate Street Access’, and presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Final Plat for Lakeside at Millican Reserve Phase 5 on approximately 8.25 acres, generally located in the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction, north of the intersection of Wellborn Road and Millican Creek Trail. Case
#FP2025-000040
Planner Segraves presented the discretionary item and final plat to the Commission recommending approval of both.
Commissioner Finch asked for the average lot size in the development.
Planner Segraves clarified that the development is 8.25 acres in total. Commissioner Finch moved to approve the discretionary item and final plat.
Commissioner Collins seconded the motion; the motion was approved 6-0.
Agenda Item #5.2 was heard after Agenda Item #5.4. 5.2 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance
amending Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Article 11 “Definitions”, Section
11.2 “Defined Terms” and Article 6 “Use Regulations”, Section 6.3.C “Use Table” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, by amending certain sections relating to shared housing. Case #ORDA2026-000001 (Note: Final action on this item will be considered at the April 23, 2026, City Council meeting - Subject to change).
Administrator Macias presented the ordinance amendment to the Commission recommending approval. Commissioner Collins asked for clarification that this amendment would state that
bedrooms would generally be the same size, asking how that is defined.
Administrator Macias clarified that typical bedrooms for shared housing uses are the same size, the building code does not define a primary bedroom.
Director Armstrong further clarified that there is a list of criteria staff look for to identify
if there is a primary bedroom or not, the updated ordinance provides flexibility at a staff level. Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
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Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion; the motion was approved 6-0. 5.3 Public hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan by amending the Thoroughfare Plan and Bicycle,
Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan to remove the future extension of Pebble Creek
Parkway, a Minor Arterial, between St. Andrews Drive and the future Minor Arterial to the south including associated future bike lanes and sidewalks. Case #CPA2026-000005 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at the April 9, 2026, City Council Meeting - Subject to change).
Director Armstrong presented the Thoroughfare Plan and Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan amendment to the Commission recommending denial of the request.
Chief Mann was available to address the Commission on emergency response service for
the Savannah Oaks community with and without the future Pebble Creek Parkway extension. Commissioner Higdon asked for clarification and a better idea of the traffic impact on
William D. Fitch Parkway.
Director Armstrong explained that with the future extension of Pebble Creek Parkway, development of the Savannah Oaks community, and commercial development along the State Highway 6 frontage road, there will be approximately 4,000 more cars accessing
the intersection of Pebble Creek Parkway and William D. Fitch Parkway. Mr. Armstrong
also clarified that there is currently a Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) project to put a signal at the intersection of Pebble Creek Parkway and William D. Fitch Parkway.
Commissioner Watson asked if the future extension of Pebble Creek Parkway is
constructed, will the extension displace property owners and raise property values. Director Armstrong clarified that property owners will not be displaced and property values could increase.
Commissioner Collins asked for clarification that there have been no substantial changes to the area or conditions that would merit removal and to the best of staff knowledge, there have not been any subsequent changes since the 1992 Thoroughfare Plan was developed.
Director Armstrong confirmed there have been no substantial changes to the Thoroughfare
Plan or the area since 1992.
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Commissioner Collins asked if the increased travel time to the proposed 2,000 lots created by the Savannah Oaks community amounts to about a 50% increase in emergency response
time.
Chief Mann confirmed the 50% increase in response time to the Savannah Oaks community.
Chief Mann further clarified that the Pebble Creek Subdivision plat in 1992 showed a need
for Fire Station #5 approximately 13 years after its development, the future extension of Pebble Creek Parkway may alleviate the need for an 8th fire station sooner than anticipated. Commissioner Buckley stated that if the future Pebble Creek Parkway extension was
removed from the Comprehensive Plan, areas of Lakeway Drive would not be sufficient
for added traffic, asking if there are plans to increase the size of Lakeway Drive. Director Armstrong stated that there is no immediate plan to expand Lakeway Drive.
Commissioner Collins asked for clarification that if the future extension of Pebble Creek
Parkway is removed from the Comprehensive Plan, construction costs will then be on the City and taxpayers in lieu of the developer if the future extension remains. Director Armstrong confirmed that if the future extension is removed, the construction will
become a cost to the City and taxpayers.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing. Elaine Meadows, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item
citing concerns for golfer crossing and golf course liability.
Ken Grace, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item citing concerns for safety, the golf course, and impact on Lakeway Drive, decreased property values, and emergency services.
Brian Worth, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item citing concerns for golf course safety, traffic flow on Lakeway Drive, and emergency road services.
Charles Hermann, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item
expressing support that the future extension be limited to emergency vehicle use only and utilizing Lakeway Drive as a link to the new developments to the south. Peter Bastain, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item
citing concerns for community character, safety, connectivity, and bicycle, pedestrian, and
greenways connectivity.
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Jeannine Smith, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item questioning the future development and developer, as well as Navasota Watershed, flood,
and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) studies.
Kerry Roper, Pebble Creek Subdivision, College Station, spoke in support of the item citing concerns for emergency response studies, impact fees, property taxes, and golf safety.
Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing. Commissioner Higdon expressed concerns for long-term real estate values.
Commissioner Finch expressed concerns with no substantial changes being made to the
area or the Thoroughfare Plan since its adoption. Commissioner Watson expressed concerns for future residents if the extension is removed, asking for clarification on developer construction responsibility and City construction
responsibility.
Director Armstrong clarified that the Thoroughfare Plan sets the overall expectation for the City, stating that when a development is planned the developer must abide by the Thoroughfare Plan. The Savannah Oaks development will be required to build this future
extension as part of their development responsibility per the Thoroughfare Plan. If the
extension is removed, and is needed in the future, it becomes a City responsibility. Chairperson Cornelius asked for clarification that if the future extension is removed from the Comprehensive Plan, at some point it will be City’s responsibility.
Director Armstrong clarified that if the future extension is removed from the Thoroughfare Plan, it’s gone; reinstating the extension would require an act of the City Council to put the extension back on the Thoroughfare Plan.
Commissioner Collins asked about making the future extension of Pebble Creek Parkway
a roadway for emergency vehicles only. Director Armstrong clarified that there is no street designation for emergency vehicles only.
Commissioner Higdon moved to recommend approval of Comprehensive Plan Amendment by amending the Thoroughfare Plan and Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Master Plan to remove the future extension of Pebble Creek Parkway. Commissioner Buckley seconded the motion.
There was general discussion amongst the Commission.
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The motion to recommend approval failed 3-3 with Chairperson Cornelius and Commissioners Collins and Watson voting in opposition.
5.4 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 R Rural to RS Restricted
Suburban, for approximately 222 acres, generally located on Greens Prairie Road, east of
the intersection of Greens Prairie Road and W.S. Phillips Parkway. Case #REZ2026- 000003 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at the April 23, 2026 City Council Meeting – Subject to change).
Administrator Macias presented the rezoning to the Commission recommending approval.
Chairperson Cornelius asked for clarification on proposed changes from the previous rezoning application.
Administrator Macias clarified that the applicant has changed the proposed zoning from
GS General Suburban to RS Restricted Suburban which reduces the maximum density from eight units per acre to four units per acre. Commissioner Higdon asked for clarification on the number of units per acre, asking if the
number is a development wide average.
Administrator Macias confirmed that the number of units per acre applies to the entirety of the subdivision.
Commissioner Collins asked for the minimum lot size for the development.
Administrator Macias stated that a RS Restricted Suburban zoning district has an average lot size of 10,000 square feet with an absolute minimum lot area of 6,500 square feet.
Commissioner Finch asked for the original proposed number of dwelling units and the new
proposed number of dwelling units in the development. Administrator Macias clarified that both the original and current plan consist of approximately 880 dwelling units.
Commissioner Buckley asked if the dwelling unit count is consistent with the adjacent Castlegate development. Administrator Macias clarified that the Castlegate I development has a density of 3.4 units
per acre, and the Castlegate II development has a density of four units per acre.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing.
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Craig McDaniel, Woodlake Phase 1, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing concerns for connecting roadways and traffic into the Woodlake subdivision.
Robert Todd, Woodlake Phase 2, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing concerns for connecting roadways into the Woodlake subdivision. Dolores Kmiecik-Graham, Greens Prairie Reserve Section 1, College Station spoke in
opposition of the item citing concerns for traffic, safety, drainage, property values,
and drainage studies. Jean Phelps, Indian Lakes Phase 20, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing concerns for traffic, safety, and the new development not aligning with surrounding
communities.
Shane Phelps, Indian Lakes Phase 20, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing concerns for traffic, safety, and the new development not aligning with surrounding communities.
Joe Crawford, DR Horton, was available to address and answer questions from the visitors and the Commission. Mr. Crawford explained that although the maximum number of dwelling units is 880, the actual number will likely be lower. Mr. Crawford also stated that the zoning request is in line with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Higdon asked how the developer can assure that the development will not exceed the maximum of 880 dwelling units. Mr. Crawford clarified that the development will likely not exceed the maximum.
Neal Hogansen, Sweetwater Subdivision, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing concerns for the traffic impact analysis and drainage. Adam Klaus, Woodlake Phase 2, College Station, spoke in opposition of the item citing
concerns for traffic, roadways, and new roadways through the Woodlake Subdivision.
Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing. Chairperson Cornelius asked for clarification that the City does not and cannot control who
owns a property, the City can only control what is done with or constructed on the property.
Director Armstrong confirmed that the City does not and cannot control who owns a property, the City can only control what is done with or constructed on the property.
Administrator Schubert provided clarification on traffic concerns in the Woodlake
Subdivision, clarifying that this rezoning does not touch the Woodlake Subdivision and the Traffic Impact Analysis for the rezoning does not project any traffic onto Woodlake Drive.
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Commissioner Buckley asked if all development traffic would exit on to Greens Prairie Road.
Administrator Schubert confirmed that there will be a signal at Greens Prairie Road for traffic from this development along with other smaller connections that do not include Woodlake Drive.
Commissioner Watson asked for information on road work being performed on Arrington
Road and Greens Prairie Road. Administrator Schubert stated that Brazos County included in their 2022 bond election, improvements for non-county roads, which encompasses William D. Fitch Parkway
between State Highway 6 and Arrington Road.
Commissioner Watson asked if the county bond funding work will alleviate traffic. Administrator Schubert stated that purpose of work is to improve that area.
Commissioner Collins moved to recommend approval of the rezoning. Commissioner Watson seconded the motion; the motion was approved 6-0. 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 the College Station Comprehensive Plan by adopting
the updated Economic Development Master Plan. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on February 19, 2026 and voted (4-3) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on February 26, 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, April 9, 2026 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 16, 2026 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 23, 2026 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00p.m.
• Thursday, May 7, 2026 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
April 2, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 9 of 9
There was no discussion.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board,
BioCorridor Board, and Impact Fee Advisory Committee.
•March 27, 2026 ~ Design Review Board ~ Kraken's Revenge ~ 508 Earl RudderFreeway South
There was no discussion.
7.Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
Director Armstrong confirmed with the Commission a scheduled joint Planning &Zoning Commission meeting with the City of Bryan on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Director Armstrong announced that there will be a public meeting for the Active
Transportation Plan on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
_____________________________ _________________________________
Jason Cornelius, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services