US 79 GROWTH
Dallas-Fort Worth based developer Megatel Homes, LLC has unveiled designs for a new neighborhood and employment center that could include as many as 1, 061 residential units along with light industrial and commercial businesses. The 329-acre hub will be near the Taylor Airport, north of US 79 between Lorax Lane and Justin Lane, within city limits. The location is also in close proximity to Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
“This is a little bit unique because we haven’t had a property that has had both designations as employment center and neighborhoods on their property,” Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis told council at a public hearing in June.
Megatel Homes, LLC, doing business as Megatel Austin Taylor, LLC, met with city staff and the city’s urban design consultant Michael Watkins in November to develop a design for the land that would meet the city’s master plan. The resulting land design was approved at the June meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and approved by City Council at Thursday’s meeting.
In its Future Land Use master plan, the city had designated the area near the airport to be preserved for largescale employment and large-format industrial development associated with Samsung or other regional high-tech businesses. Megatel requested several adjustments to the land development code, which were approved. The development will be allowed a higher density in the urban center, larger block sizes and expanded parking options.
“It is Megatel’s intent to develop this tract as a Mixed-Use Park that will feature three distinct development uses: Industrial, Multi-Family, and Single-Family,” said Ryan Quinn of Quiddity Engineering in a letter to the city. “The development will also support natural amenities by providing a substantial trail network and linear park. The property is bisected by roughly 74-acres of floodplain and adjacent natural areas that are not desirable for industrial or residential use but ideal for walking and biking trails.”
Although the land is within the city limits, it will require substantial upgrades to Taylor’s infrastructure. The property is serviced by city water and sewer utilities.
“This development will require significant infrastructure improvements, particularly related to roadways and utilities,” Quinn said.
According to city documents, the property has a 12” wastewater line at the southeast corner of the property and has a 24” water line along Lorax Lane to the east of the property. Utility extensions will be required to and through the site to accommodate this development and further development westward.
“For wastewater service substantial offsite improvements will be required to extend the gravity lines from the Airport Lift Station to Mustang Creek. For roadways, the development will align with the planned roadways currently shown in the city’s (Geographic Information System) database. This includes a north/south extension of County Road 401 and an east/west Community Boulevard. There will also be local roads within the development to serve end users,” Quinn said.
With Thursday’s approval, the project can now move forward to the preliminary platting of lots and planning for infrastructure improvements.
