Numerous individuals spoke against a proposed rezoning of a planned development located on West Cedar Street at the Stephenville City Council’s Oct. 7 meeting.
City Council denied the rezone request to change the property’s zoning from Single-Family Residential to Planned Development.
On Aug. 20, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that city council deny the rezone request and development plan. A petition was completed by surrounding property owners and verified requiring a super-majority council vote to overturn the recommendation of P&Z.
The council previously tabled the item at its September meeting. It was brought back at the Oct. 7 meeting for action, discussion and a public hearing.
Within the zoning change, the developer was asking for a maximum density of 123 lots, a 5,000 sq. ft. lot, a 1,200 sq. ft. living minimum and waiving the park land dedication along with several other changes. One major concern voiced by neighbors was flooding and possible traffic increase.
Taylor Kanute, representing Keewaydin Developments and Rock Creek Property No. 1 LLC, gave an update stating they were in the process of updating plans that were presented to P&Z months ago, and the plan that was tabled at last month’s meeting.
“We are in discussions, and further along than just discussions with the property owners to the north, the Allen family, who owns where Harbin Street currently dead ends. We are in the process of putting together our agreement to give access to the development we are working on through their property extending Harbin Drive from where it currently terminates to somewhere on our property,” Kanute said. “The main goal is, after listening to all of the comments at P&Z and Council and the concerns, is to give access to this development from the north. We are not here to vote on the proposed project because it is subject to change at this point.”
City Manager Jason King stated there would be no agreement on road between two private property owners because the road has to be dedicated to the city of Stephenville.
“The city of Stephenville has been working with that property owner and has a surveyed route, and has been working on the rightof- way dedication,” King said.
Kanute said he might have misspoke and rather the agreement could be where the road would go in concern to the development to help alleviate traffic concerns.
“But we aren’t where we can put that on paper yet,” he said.
“For the council’s information the city has an agreed route with that property owner, it’s surveyed out. The last discussions we had with them was simply that they were not ready to move forward at this time and did not give an adjusted time table. So, I’m certainly not in a position to say when that agreement may come to fruition,” King said.
Councilmember Alan Nix asked for clarification since there was a planned development on the agenda, would the whole project need to be resubmitted if changes were made, essentially re-starting the the process again with P&Z.
King clarified that minor changes would be allowed.
Kanute said the proposed development was primarily staying the same with the only changes coming from access.
“I hesitate to table this again. We have a number of people who have taken time, numerous times to [attend] P&Z and council,” Nix said. He made a motion to move forward with the public hearing. Council unanimously agreed.
Development Services Director Steve Killen explained the property owners decided to request a Planned Development to help ensure it would remain a single-family development, not apartments for the community.
During the public hearing, the following people spoke against the rezoning.
“We still believe that this is a development Stephenville needs. We are talking about single family detached rooftops. That isn’t just about the people who are living here, but the future people who are moving here, that are going to school here and want to stay here,” Kanute said. “There is not much variety on the market for new construction housing.”
Nathan Collier, a Cedar Street resident, stated he received all the water runoff from the project and presented several pictures of the flooding.
“[On July 6, 2025] I was standing out there with Judge Huckabee and Captain Jeff Walker with Stephenville city police. We were standing out there before the barricades arrived and literally the asphalt was bubbling up from water intrusion coming underneath the street,” he said.
Scott Randolph, a Whitefield Street resident, stated he was concerned about increased traffic on his street and stated he was in opposition, though in favor of R-1 zoning.
Steve Keck, a resident of Melissa Street, stated he was in opposition of the plan, mainly because Harbin Street was not in the plan.
“I think it would be remiss for the city to approve this without the Harbin Street extension,” he said.
Penny Hampton, a resident of Harper Mill Road, spoke in opposition of the proposal.
“I, as much as anymore, want us to look at the future for Stephenville and enhance it in any way, but not at the expense or safety of the current residents,” she said.
Hampton said she was concerned for safety more than anything including a blind curve where a school bus currently runs, endangering kids.
“I think the Harbin Street expansion is the only possibility for this,” she said.
Ross McAngus, a resident of Private Road 1424, spoke in opposition.
“Tarleton just admitted another record freshmen class, and we need to consider is it our obligation to continue adhere and expand for that. That’s an important thing, not just for Harbin but overall allowing this number of lots is ultimately going to result in student housing,” he said. “We can say single family but the size and dimension of the lots is something we need to consider overall.”
Sadie Mayes, a resident of Melissa Drive, spoke in opposition to the project, concerned about safety.
“I understand they are working on the Harbin entrance and exit and that would be great, but again I think that needs to happen before we take seriously any kind of proposal,” she said.
Dereece Howell, a resident of West Cedar Street, spoke representing Kenneth Howell, Carol and John Boucher, Hardy and Caroline Hampton and was in opposition.
“I ask you to uphold P&Zs negative recommendation for this application to rezone,” she said.
She said the group of neighbors have multiple concerns such as density, Harbin extension, traffic on Cedar and the drainage.
“We would strongly support a true R-1 subdivision in this area. This project is not what we need,” she said.
The council denied the zoning change.
The council approved a resolution denying the 2025 Oncor Rate Case which included a significant increase for Stephenville residents and businesses. The increase would be 12.3% residential and a 51% street lighting increase.
City Manager Jason King explained that by denying the rate case, it would then be sent to the Public Utility Commission for input.
In other business the council: ■ called a special election for Nov. 4 for the mayoral race
■ Approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Granburt for the Granbury Regional Radio Network
■ Approved authorizing the city manager to negotiate energy contract beginning Jan. 1, 2026