Developments including a planned bank branch and a hotel got a look from City Council and a word of caution from neighbors during a public hearing Thursday.
Sonora Bank announced plans for a branch on 9.7 acres at 602 S.W. Carlos G. Parker Blvd.
The second development ordinance introduced at council Thursday was a neighborhood plan for Taylor Commons, an 8.7-acre parcel at 709 N.W. Carlos G. Parker Blvd. near Mallard Lane.
Because the proposals aired during a public hearing, no action was taken by those on the dais.
Attendees learned the lot for the bank will include space for additional complimentary developments to be developed later.
“Taylor could not deal with any better folks than these guys. If they treat Taylor the way they treated us, there’ll be no issue. I really think they’ll be an asset to Taylor,” said Buddy Banacek, the former owner of the land which Sonora Bank purchased.
The future site of Sonora Bank will provide easy access to residential neighborhoods, Taylor High School and Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Courtesy of Taylor
The bank opened a branch in Hutto in February 2025. The Taylor location will be the 11th branch and provides access to neighborhoods, Taylor High School and Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
The land is adjacent to a 100-acre working farm owned by David Kautz, which has been in the family for 100 years.
He told the council he was concerned runoff from the development might damage his historic well, which is very near the property line and is the only drinkingwater supply for his
family. He was also concerned that a 3-acre stock pond used to water his cattle would become an “attractive nuisance” to trespassers. The pond is not visible to the public because of a rise in the road.
Kautz said Sonora Bank representatives had contacted him after hearing his concerns at a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, adding he believes there is a path forward for the development that would protect his farm.
Another concern is the entry point to the development, which is expected to be along Parker near FM 973, which officials said is one of the busiest intersections in Taylor.
A traffic-impact analysis will determine what road modifications may need to be made, officials said.
The second set of plans considered at the meeting calls for a hotel, a general retail store and three restaurants on the parcel.
The proposed development is adjacent to Fire Station No. 2, First Baptist Church and a planned office/warehouse building.
The applicant asked for several variances including an increase in the parking lot size and a special-use permit to allow drive-thru service at the restaurants.
City staff said they sent 11 notices to surrounding properties and received two objections to the development.
However, no community members spoke against the development during the council meeting.
“We do believe that our competitive advantage at this phase of planning is to start with the end in mind,” said Adam Hughes, representing the developer. “The site development plan that we’ve already designed (has) gotten through traffic, drainage and some of the shared infrastructure that will serve the development.”
City Planning Manager Joseph Ducay said the variances requested will allow the buildings to set further back from the street and make the flow of traffic smoother, accommodating drive-thru windows at the restaurants.
Both developments are within city limits and will tie into the existing infrastructure.
