A potential concept plan outlining the development of a 47-acre property near Yarrington Road that could house hotels, a retail anchor store and an eight-pump gas station is now in its “final stages,” according a city of Kyle press release.
The development, however, is contingent on approval by the Kyle City Council later this month to rezone the land from Agricultural (AG) to retail-services (RS). This would be a stricter zoning regulation than Warehouse (W), which applicant PGI Investment, LLC originally applied for.
On Feb. 7, the Kyle City Council will hold a public hearing on the rezoning of the 47-acre property from AG to W, according to a Jan. 18 public notice in the Hays Free Press.
In a statement, Kyle Mayor Todd Webster said council would consider rezoning the land to RS, which is “more restrictive in terms of the kinds of businesses that would be allowed.”
Howard Koontz, Kyle community development director, said the city ran maintained language within PGI’s original request from Dec. 15 for the warehouse rezoning as staff “cannot administratively change its application midstream.” Koontz said the public notice was also kept the same for consistency.
However, Koontz said council is allowed to make appropriate zoning changes.
He said there was a “new plan and new expectation going forward” where RS zoning would be “appropriate” and that the applicant could make it work.
That plan was crafted through a several months long regional planning effort that involved Kyle’s Economic Development, Hays County, the Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), the city of San Marcos and PGI.
The current concept plan calls for a retail anchor store, restaurant pads, two hotels and a convenience store with an eight-pump gas station, along with other retail sites.
According to the release, the plan provides a view of what types of businesses would have the “greatest chance for success at that location.” Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said in a statement the concept plan is the “starting point for recruiting businesses to that location.” While there could be modifications, such as roadway access and retaining heritage oak trees, the plan is “essentially complete,” Sellers said.
“By investing in this junction, what we call the gateway to both cities, we are taking steps to secure our future and highlight the importance of regional cooperation,” John Thomaides, San Marcos mayor said in a statement.
Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant said the progress made on the concept plan is “encouraging” and he’s confident the project will benefit “the county as a whole.”
“Bringing retail businesses to Kyle and San Marcos through this development is a sound investment in our future financial success in Hays County,” Whisenant said in a statement.
Regional cooperation on the plan began after the Kyle Planning and Zoning commission (P&Z) denied an application from PGI to rezone the 47-acre property to warehouse in January 2016.
The move could have allowed for a potential truck stop to be built on the property, which drew criticism from residents of the Blanco Vista subdivision, which is located near the property. PGI in 2013 had previously attempted to rezone for a truck stop, but were ultimately denied by council.
Council didn’t discuss the zoning Feb. 2, 2016 as PGI pulled the request.
City leaders then worked with representatives from PGI, Hays County, San Marcos and the GSMP for the plan.
“We are excited about this project moving forward and we look forward to brining new businesses to Kyle,” a spokesperson for PGI said in a statement.
Webster said he is glad to see the project coming together due to cooperation among several entities.
“We look forward to doing great things for all of the entities involved, but mostly for residents of Kyle and San Marcos,” Sellers said.
