Title
Hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance submitted by Vincent Gerard & Associates on behalf of First Assembly of God Inc. (Case# Z26-10) for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow for the installation of a wireless telecommunication tower on property zoned “B-3” (Local Business District), being approximately 2.0 acres, being Lot 1, Block 1, McClurkan Addition. The subject property is locally addressed as 7432 East Trimmier Road, Killeen, Texas. (Requires 3/4 Majority Vote for Approval)
Body
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, Interim City Manager
FROM: Wallis Meshier, Exec. Dir. Of Dev. Serv.
SUBJECT: Zoning Case # Z26-10: “B-3” to “B-3 W/CUP”
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Property Information:
Property Owner: First Assembly of God Inc.
Agent: Vincent Gerard & Associates
Current Zoning: “B-3” (Local Business District)
Proposed Zoning: “B-3 W/CUP” (Local Business District with Conditional Use Permit)
FLUM Designation: ‘C’ (Campus)
Growth Sector Designation: ‘CG’ (Controlled Growth)
Summary of Request:
The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to construct an approximately 85-foot tall monopole wireless telecommunications tower on property zoned “B-3” (Local Business District) at 7432 East Trimmier Road. The proposed facility is intended to improve wireless service coverage in the southeastern portion of Killeen. The tower is designed to accommodate multiple carriers and will include associated ground equipment.
Zoning/Plat Case History:
The property was annexed into the City of Killeen in 2004 through Ordinance No. 04-12 and subsequently zoned “A” (Agriculture District). In 2014, the property was rezoned to “B-3” (Local Business District) through Ordinance No. 14-094. The property is platted as Lot 1, Block 1, McClurkan Addition.
Character of the Area:
North: Developed property (Christian Life Church) zoned “A-R1” (Agricultural Single-Family Residential District)
South: Developed commercial property (First Assembly of God Inc.) zoned “B-3” (Local Business District)
East: Developed residential property zoned “R-1” (Single-Family Residential District)
West: Undeveloped property zoned “A-R1” (Agricultural Single-Family Residential District)
Future Land Use Map Analysis:
The property is located within the ‘Controlled Growth’ (Growth Sector) area on the Growth Sector Map and designated as ‘Campus’ (Place Type) on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) of the Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The ‘Controlled Growth’ sector includes areas in the city limits and approved Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that have access to city infrastructure in close proximity. Development proposed in this sector will be evaluated for adherence to the Big Ideas and Recommendations of the plan, particularly those related to housing and neighborhood options, and improve the fiscal health and sustainability of Killeen.
The ‘Campus’ place type is characterized by large-scale institutional developments and the associated amenities and services that support them. Examples include Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Killeen Independent School District facilities, and large church campuses. These areas function as regional destinations due to their institutional presence and service offerings. While development within this place type is primarily institutional in nature, supporting residential uses may also be appropriate. This place type encourages a development mix of up to one hundred percent (100%) nonresidential uses and up to twenty-five percent (25%) residential uses.
The request is consistent with the following Big Ideas of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan:
§ Resource stewardship and fiscally responsible growth ensure a more prosperous community for the long haul.
The comprehensive plan calls for managing the development of land and capital investments (such as streets, utilities, and drainage) to ensure a more prosperous community for the long haul, and similar to the need for these common resident services listed here, staff notes that there is a need for other types of utilities, such as wireless services. So, staff finds that the proposed communication tower may provide the community with better or more reliable phone services in the vicinity.
Development Zone Analysis:
This property is located within the City of Killeen Development Zone #8, which is generally situated south of Stagecoach Road, east of State Highway 195, and west of East Trimmier Road. This development zone consists of approximately 60.33% residential uses and 39.67% commercial uses. Overall, the current land use mix in the surrounding area includes approximately 463.61 acres (13.19%) of Special Districts, 1,657.65 acres (47.14%) of Residential, no Industrial acreage (0.00%), 191.31 acres (5.44%) of Commercial, and 1,203.59 acres (34.23%) of Agricultural uses, for a total of approximately 3,516.15 acres. In addition, vacant land accounts for approximately 1,631.73 acres, or 46.41% 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.
Note: This zoning change request does not cover the entire parcel.
Water services are available for the tract via an existing 6” water distribution main located on the west side of East Trimmier Road.
Wastewater services are available for the tract via an existing 6” wastewater main located on the west side of East Trimmier Road.
No existing storm sewer infrastructure is adjacent to the tract.
Transportation and Thoroughfare Plan:
Access for the tract is via East Trimmier Road, which is an 85-foot-wide right-of-way and is classified as a Proposed Minor Arterial in the currently adopted Comprehensive Plan.
No appreciable increase in traffic is expected to be generated as a result of this zoning classification change.
PARKS AND PROPOSED TRAIL PLAN:
There are no proposed parks or trails located on this site.
Environmental Assessment:
The tract is in the Stillhouse Hollow Lake / Lampasas River Watershed. The tract is located in Zone X Unshaded (0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Area), per Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map 48027C0290E with effective date September 26, 2008.
The tract 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 properties. No visual evidence of other environmental impediments is apparent on the tract at this time.
Public Notification:
Staff notified property owners of forty-four (44) surrounding properties regarding this request.
As of the date of this staff report, twelve (12) responses have been received regarding this request. Of the responses received, five (5) are from property owners located within the 200-foot notification buffer and seven (7) are from property owners located within the 400-foot notification buffer.
Staff Findings:
Staff finds that the proposed zoning is compatible with existing land use and is consistent with the Future Land Use Map and Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council has three (3) alternatives:
§ Disapprove the applicant’s CUP request;
§ Approve the CUP with conditions; or
§ Approve the applicant’s CUP request as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends approval of the request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with the following conditions:
1. The project will substantially comply with the Site Plan.
2. The project will comply with requirements for collocation, screening, lighting, and site development per Sec. 31-604, 31-606, and 31-609 prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.
3. Parking areas and drive aisles will be constructed with an all-weather surface (asphalt or concrete) per Sec. 31-487.
4. The site design shall maximize use of existing trees and vegetation, and landscape screening shall be installed and maintained per Sec. 31-609 (a)(6).
5. The applicant shall construct a public sidewalk along the street frontage to connect the existing sidewalks.
6. Permits shall expire if not constructed within six (6) months, not put into use within one hundred twenty (120) days after construction, or discontinued for more than six (6) consecutive months, unless extended per Sec. 31-610.
7. The permittee shall notify the director of changes in ownership or operation of the tower within thirty (30) days.
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 serving the property is already in place and maintained by the City. These maintenance costs will continue throughout 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:
Pursuant to Sec. 31-603(b) of the Killeen Code of Ordinances, approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a wireless telecommunications tower requires a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the City Council. Accordingly, approval of this request will require a minimum of six (6) affirmative votes from the seven-member City Council.
Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow the installation of a wireless telecommunications tower on property zoned “B-3” (Local Business District), subject to the aforementioned conditions.
At their regular meeting on May 11, 2-26, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the applicant’s request as recommended by staff with an additional condition that the tower is camouflaged with a tree design by a vote of 5 to 2, with Commissioner Sabree and Commissioner Moss in opposition.
Commissioner Sabree stated that she was opposed because the adverse effects caused by proximity of residing by a wireless telecommunication tower are not known and the citizens present stated there was no issue with their current coverage.
Commissioner Moss also stated he was in opposition because the citizens stated that they had no issue with their current coverage and he would like to see information depicting that the surrounding antennas are at capacity.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
The Planning and Legal staff have reviewed this item..
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Maps
Site Photos
Minutes
Ordinance
Letter of Request
Site Plans
Responses
Presentation