Voluntary annexation, development agreement OK’d

Weatherford City during the Tuesday, Oct. 27, meeting approved a voluntary annexation request for Heritage Park Estates to incorporate into the city for municipal services — in addition to a development agreement and zoning amendment regarding that same property. 

The 48-acre tract of land, in the area behind the Target in Weatherford, as well as portions of the adjacent county road rights-of-way, specifically Causbie Road and Old Airport Road that are associated with the property, were included. Prior to the approval, the land was currently outside of Weatherford’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Scott McDonald, Weatherford’s director of Development Services, highlighted for council that the associated development agreement noted electric, police, fire, solid waste, water and wastewater, and other services available to those inside city limits would become effective as soon as the annexation was approved. Fees for those services would be the same as other residents pay. 

During the public hearing, Weatherford resident Lynn Baber questioned why only part of the property was being proposed for annexation and that it would create confusion as to whether the city or the county was responsible for services in the areas not included. She also questioned what appeared to be a “donut hole” on the map that would isolate land on all four sides.

“It’s just an unusual development,” she said.

Later in discussion, City Manager James Hotopp addressed the questions, stating some of the lots within the housing development had already been sold so those areas, per state law, could not legally be included in the annexation without the landowner’s request. He added that what appeared to be a “donut hole” was not that. 

“The small piece to the west is actually owned by [Weatherford Independent School District],” he explained. “That is a potential elementary school site and … we’ve had discussions with them that would have to come in to build the school there.”

The annexation was then approved.

The rezoning and development agreement was then also approved. Per city ordinance, when a property is annexed, it is automatically zoned AG Agriculture and a rezoning is required if the property owner wants to use the land for something else. In this case, it was rezoned to R1 One Family Residential per request. 

Also at the meeting, council: 

Approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a RaceTrac fueling station at 1802 Old Brock Road. A previous CUP had been approved but since no work had commenced on the property, it expired Aug. 26 and had to renewed by the applicant. No significant changes were made to the previously approved plans aside from a point-of-access that was denied by TxDOT and all previous conditions remain in effect.

Amended the meeting date from Feb. 23, 2027, to Feb. 22, 2027, to accommodate for Parker County Day at the State Legislature in Austin. Hotopp explained neighboring cities, along with Weatherford, will be traveling Feb. 23-24 to speak with legislators about state policies.