Title
Hold a public hearing and consider a City-initiated request, on behalf of Welstand Properties, LLC, (Case# Z26-02) to rezone approximately 0.16 acre, being Lot 1, Block 1, Ernest Bridges Subdivision, and a 12’ x 115’ strip adjoining on the north from “B-5” (Business District) to “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District). The subject property is locally addressed as 1011 Rocky Lane, Killeen, Texas.
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DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Wallis Meshier, Exec. Dir. Of Dev. Serv.
SUBJECT: Zoning Case # Z26-02: “B-5” to “R-1”
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Property Information:
Property Owner: Welstand Properties, LLC
Agent: City-initiated request
Current Zoning: “B-5” (Business District)
Proposed Zoning: “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District)
FLUM Designation: ‘Neighborhood Commercial’ (NC)
Growth Sector Designation: ‘Infill & Enhance’ (IE)
Summary of Request:
This is a City-initiated request to rezone Lot 1, Block 1, Ernest Bridges Subdivision and a 12’ X 115’ strip adjoining on the north from “B-5” (Business District) to “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District). This request aims to amend the property's current zoning to make it consistent with the existing residential land use. The existing single-family home is considered legal non-conforming and therefore subject to Killeen Code of Ordinances Sec. 31-54, which states that a non-conforming structure cannot be rebuilt in case of total destruction. If approved, this City-initiated request to rezone the property will bring the current use of the property into compliance with the zoning ordinance.
The intent of this initiative is to assist property owners by rezoning legal non-conforming property to establish the current residential use of property as complying with the City of Killeen’s zoning and land use regulations. In doing so, the goal is to ensure that property owners are better positioned to sell or refinance their property in the future, should they choose to do so. Based on current information, the rezoning is not expected to have any negative impacts on the property, and property values are not expected to be affected.
Zoning/Plat Case History:
All of the lots in the Ernest Bridges Subdivision were annexed into the City limits on December 31, 1919. Staff is unable to determine the date the property' zoning was changed.
Character of the Area:
North: Developed residential property zoned “R-3” (Multi-Family Residential District)
South: Developed commercial property zoned “B-5” (Business District)
East: Vacant structure zoned “B-5” (Business District) and developed residential property zoned “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District)
West: Developed commercial property zoned “B-5” (Business District)
Future Land Use Map Analysis:
The property is located within the ‘Infill & Enhance’ (IE) area on the Growth Sector Map and designated as ‘Neighborhood Commercial’ (NC) on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) of the Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The Growth Sector Map indicates that these parcels are in the ‘Infill & Enhance’ sector and as such, have existing development and full service, but are located in areas where additional population, higher development intensities, and integration of uses is desired. This sector is primarily located in downtown and the neighborhoods immediately around it. Growth policies for this area should support infill, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects. These projects should accommodate more residents and small businesses while improving walkability.
The ‘Neighborhood Commercial’ place type is a predominantly a commercial extension of a traditional neighborhood. These places generally grow along with a neighborhood and need to be allowed to change over time to intensify as its surrounding neighborhood does. These are placed along a corridor of some kind, often a higher traffic roadway that serves as the edge of a neighborhood. These areas bridge pedestrian and auto-oriented development patterns. Street parking and continuous building frontages are very important here as it creates a pleasant experience for people who traverse the area on foot. Shared parking should be encouraged. High intensity small lot residential is acceptable within this place type. This place type encourages one hundred percent (100%) nonresidential and twenty-five percent (25%) residential use mix.
The request supports the following Comprehensive Plan recommendations:
§ LU3 - Encourage incremental evolution of neighborhoods.
§ NH6 - Shift the market to include existing housing.
The Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan promotes incremental redevelopment of property that can add to a widespread improvement. Additionally, staff finds the proposed rezoning is consistent with the surrounding area, which consists of a mix of residential and commercial property and religious institutions.
Development Zone Analysis:
The property is located within the City of Killeen Development Zone #1, which is generally situated north of Veterans Memorial Boulevard and west of WS Young Drive. This development zone is comprised of approximately 66.38% residential uses and 33.17% commercial uses. Overall, the current land use mix in the surrounding area includes approximately 1.36 acres (0.13%) of Special Districts, 667.36 acres (66.25%) of Residential, 58.91 acres (5.85%) of Industrial, 275.23 acres (27.32%) of Commercial, and 0.04 acres (0.45%) of Agricultural uses, for a total of approximately 1,007.39 acres. In addition, vacant property accounts for approximately 118 acres, or 11.71% of the area.
Water, Sewer and Drainage Services:
Provider: City of Killeen
Within Service Area: Yes
Feasibility Study or Service Commitment: Water, wastewater, and drainage services are located within the City of Killeen municipal utility service area and are available to the subject tract.
Water service is available to the property via an existing 6” water distribution main located in Rocky Lane.
Wastewater service is available to the property via an existing 6” wastewater main located in Rocky Lane.
There is no existing drainage infrastructure adjacent to the property.
Transportation and Thoroughfare Plan:
Access to the property is via Rocky Lane (50’ ROW), which is classified as a Local Street in the currently adopted Comprehensive Plan. No increase in traffic is expected to result from this zoning classification change.
A traffic impact analysis is not required since this is an existing residential structure, and no new construction is anticipated at this time.
PARKS AND PROPOSED TRAIL PLAN:
There are no proposed parks or trails on this site. Parkland dedication, fees in lieu of, and parkland development fees will not be required as the property is already developed.
Environmental Assessment:
The property is in the Nolan Creek / Leon River Watershed. The property is located in Zone X Unshaded (0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Area), per Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map 48027C0115E with effective date September 26, 2008.
The property is not impacted by freshwater ponds, freshwater forested/shrub wetlands, freshwater emergent wetlands, or riverine habitats as shown on the National Wetlands Inventory maps for the property. No visual evidence of other environmental impediments is apparent on the property at this time.
Public Notification:
Before public notification, the one (1) property owner was provided with a consent form to authorize the request; a response has not been received.
Staff notified property owners of forty-three (43) surrounding properties regarding this request.
As of the date of this staff report, no responses have been received regarding this request.
Staff Findings:
The subject property is zoned “B-5” (Business District). There is an existing single-family structure, and it is considered legal non-conforming. The surrounding area includes residential, multi-family and commercial properties. Staff finds that the request is consistent with the recommendations of the Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This zoning request conforms to the City’s policy and procedures, as detailed in Chapter 31 of the Killeen Code of Ordinances.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
This zoning request does not involve the expenditure of city funds. Public infrastructure is already in place for this property and maintained by the City. Maintenance cost will continue for the life of the development.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
This is not applicable.
Is this expenditure budgeted?
This is not applicable.
If not, where will the money come from?
This is not applicable.
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line item for this expenditure?
This is not applicable.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request to rezone the property from “B-5” (Business District) to “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District) as presented.
At their regular meeting on February 9, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission Recommended approval by a vote of 4 to 0.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
This item has been reviewed by the Planning and Legal staff.
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Maps
Site Photos
Minutes
Ordinance
Presentation