Council OKs West Cumberland mixed‑use retail plan; developers, planners discuss access and parking

The Tyler City Council on Aug. 27 approved site plans and a special-use permit for a PMXD1 mixed‑use retail development near West Cumberland Road and South Broadway.
City planning staff described the project as a multi-phase retail development that preserves a 15-foot undisturbed greenbelt along Cumberland Road and includes pad sites, shared driveways to Broadway and a future connection to Centennial Parkway.
Developer representative Trey Brewer said Phase 1 will include an entry on Cumberland and two access points from Broadway’s Parkside Drive area, and that later phases could add two or three additional access points. “There will be two access points on Bridal, and one on Cumberland. Phase 2 later will have two or three more access points,” Brewer said.
Council members and staff questioned circulation patterns and whether drivers would be able to turn left or right at certain intersections; staff explained access limitations near existing signals and the site’s topography could make additional curb cuts on Cumberland impractical.
Planner and staff noted the site plan provides 439 parking spaces where 357 are required, meaning the development provides more than the minimum required parking. Staff also said the Planning Commission recommended approval by a 7–0 vote and that an opposition protest calculation was about 2.7% from an adjacent owner concerned about traffic and visual effects.
The council approved the site plan and the related special-use permit that allows a fuel station in the PMXD1 zoning in that location; the special-use permit is subject to the approved site plan and was recommended for an indefinite period under staff recommendations.
Council approved the related smaller site-plan item for a portion of the overall development and a subsequent special-use permit allowing kiosk-style fueling on a defined north-side pad. The council voted to approve the consent items after public Q&A with the developer about access and circulation. Councilmember Haney moved approval; Councilmember Curtis seconded, and the motions carried by voice vote.