Public hearing outlines slew of projects
The City Council heard a handful of presentations Thursday on potential developments that signal significant growth both inside and outside the town’s borders.
Among other items, the Aug. 28 meeting covered infill development on Beech and Symes streets and Employment Center Plans on Northwest Carlos G. Parker Boulevard with a request for annexation.
Because this session involved public hearings, no action on any of the developments was taken by the council, though the items are likely to resurface on an agenda later.
While infill growth is a part of the city’s comprehensive plan because it makes use of existing infrastructure rather than requiring the addition of new roads and water or wastewater lines, the city has also been targeting large projects outside its core.
“Since Old Taylor is inside the loop, we have to expand the assets so we have more and more revenue and we can continue to lower our tax rates over time and you don’t do that by infilling a lot here or two, you’ve got to grow outside,” Mayor Dwayne Ariola said.
The city has been unable to lower tax rates enough to offset increases in property
“
You’ve got to grow outside.”
— Mayor Dwayne Ariola value, resulting in higher property-tax burdens each year for Taylor property owners. Infill development increases the value of property within the city, usually without receiving any economic incentives so the city can collect more taxes on the increased value of the improved property.
The public hearings included a mix of projects.
Beech and Symes streets
Council members heard a proposal to rezone the former golf course clubhouse at 1102 Beech St. from its current rural zoning to mixed use. The rezoning would allow the owner the option to develop the land for commercial or residential use.
City staff reported they had received several inquiries about commercial uses for the less-than-1 acre property, including a wedding venue and day care.
Trinity Heights
In the same area, property owner Robert Cavo has requested an infill plan to convert seven addresses along Beech and Symes into large single-family residences.
Lots 1101-1107 Beech St. and 1104-1112 Symes St. comprise a 2-acre parcel just east of the golf course on an empty infill site. The development will be called Trinity Heights.
Interim Development Services Director Shai Roos said the developer was asking for zoning variances that are in line with the area.
“They want to have the ability to do a larger front yard by changing the build-line to 5-20 feet and have the ability to have a larger side yard by having the facade buildout reduced from 60% to 50%,” Roos told the council.
The owners platted the neighborhood design in 2019 before the landdevelopment code was changed, Roos said. The new code rezoned the area to an urban center, which focuses on higherdensity housing. If a future ordinance passes, the property will become a mixed-use zone, which allows for more types of housing.
“Our vision for Trinity Heights is to create a vibrant and walkable residential community that reflects the character of the existing neighborhood, while introducing updated design standards, modern infrastructure and improved land utilization,” Cavo said in his letter of intent.
Forterra Business Park
Forterra Business Park at 100 CR 403 was back on the agenda after a false start in April. Property owner Taylor 47 Business LLC has applied for annexation into the city and asked for approval of an Employment Center Plan.
The 47.6-acre commercial development met with community objections when they first presented the plan due to the potential for increased flooding at nearby downhill properties.
Historic Immanuel Lutheran Church at 411 CR 401 in Taylor sits among a group of small farms and homesteads located between the Samsung Austin Semiconductor fabrication plant and U.S. 79 in the same area. The church has a cemetery dating back to 1888. It is the burial site of some of Taylor’s earliest residents.
The properties have experienced increased flooding from the construction in the area and are concerned more development will create even more erosion and storm-water concerns.
“This land is going to require some special attention and engineering mitigation to be developed safely. Otherwise, it could cause some pretty serious damage both to the cemetery and potentially downstream as well,” said the church’s Rev. Caleb Bahr during the public hearing. “We’re not against new neighbors, city growth or development in general but we are very concerned if this particular development is rushed or done poorly it could cause serious problems for Taylor and its people, both living and deceased.”
The proposed development would have 191,100 square feet of light-industrial facilities and 81,600 square feet of flexible commercial space. The plan also calls for a gas station and some retail stores.
Offices or warehouses
Developers of a 3.24-acre parcel at 701 N.W. Carlos G. Parker Blvd. hope to build two 17,500-square-foot metal office or warehouse buildings and a retail strip center.
Project Architect Jed Laver of Sikes Group said in a letter of intent the final construction will be determined by market analytics, but the project will start with the two warehouse buildings.
The property is directly behind Taylor Fire Station No. 2, and borders First Baptist Church and the Grove at Bull Creek. The site has an existing office building with a parking lot that likely will be demolished in a future growth phase. The plan presented at council shows one-story warehouse buildings and the shopping center buildings up to two stories tall.
“Their next-door neighbor’s probably going to be a hotel at the corner,” Ariola said, hinting at more plans for the area.
