What City Council decided
Round Rock City Council approved rezoning and annexation for a roughly nine acre property near the intersection of Gattis School Road and South Kenney Fort Boulevard during its Jan. 8 meeting. The vote allows the city to provide utility services to the site and changes the zoning to support future commercial use.
Council members also waived a second reading, making the Jan. 8 vote the final action on the request.
What is planned for the site
Developers told the Planning and Zoning Commission that the property could be developed into a small retail center. Ethan Harwell, with consulting firm Kimley Horn, said only about 4.5 acres are expected to be built out because a portion of the land lies within a floodplain.
The concept includes neighborhood focused uses such as coffee shops, child care and medical offices. Earlier presentations estimated the development could include roughly 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of retail, office and restaurant space.
Two acres of the property are owned by Paul Cates Stables and are planned for sale. City staff said the stables will continue operating on about five acres north of the area being rezoned.
Community concerns raised
More than a dozen residents from nearby neighborhoods, including Round Rock Ranch, spoke during the public hearing. Concerns focused on traffic safety, noise, environmental impacts, pedestrian safety for students walking to nearby schools and preserving the land as green space.
One resident, Andrea Franklin, questioned whether the development reflects neighborhood needs, saying nearby residents have not supported the proposal.
How the proposal advanced
The rezoning request was previously approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in early December on a 4 2 vote. City officials acknowledged the concerns raised but said the decision involved balancing growth with community impacts.
Mayor Craig Morgan thanked residents for their input, calling the issue a difficult decision with valid concerns on all sides.
