Taylor City Council will hold a pair of public hearings at its Thursday meeting regarding requests for zoning changes for new development. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Porter St.
The first hearing is for approximately 5 acres at 215 Commercial Drive. The project is considered as infill development, since it is within city limits. It will include two threestory apartment buildings with a driveway connecting Commercial Drive to the existing neighborhood to the south.
The property is west of Main Street and north of W. Lake Drive and is owned by GWV Commercial Drive LLC.
The lot is currently assigned the future land use designation of a community market center, defined as a mixed-use area anchored by a retail destination serving surrounding residences, but the developers are requesting to be switched to Infill Neighborhood Plan land use type.
The second public hearing is to request an amendment to the Neighborhood Plan for the 99-acre Davis Tract FM 973 subdivision.
The developer is asking to change the land use from Special Employment District and Neighborhood Greenfield to a Neighborhood Plan that will allow for a mix of residential, commercial, hotel and civic space uses on the property.
The city will consider whether to allow the developer to have 0 acres set aside as natural lands instead of the 5 acres required by the land use code. They will also consider allowing the developer to forgo creating any civic space or parks for the planned 631 residences if the developer dedicates a 12-acre site for a public school.
Additional items up for discussion on Thursday include an update from the Chamber of Commerce, a presentation on the $50,000 Hotel Occupancy Tax budget, renewal of the publicity and tourism agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, an update on the $300,000 resilient communities program grant the city was approved for in 2023 and an interlocal agreement with Taylor Economic Development Corp.
The Library Advisory board will also present an update, including information on its new “library of things.” This new collection includes items such as a blood pressure cuff, pedometers, binoculars and a basic tool kit which may be borrowed from the library.
The meeting will open with council recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, National Night Out and Fire Prevention Week with public proclamations.
