City Council approves Villa Lockwood annexation, zoning and development agreement for 161-unit multifamily project

City Council unanimously approved a development agreement, voluntary annexation and zoning change for Villa Lockwood, a proposed 161‑unit multifamily development on roughly 17.819 acres at the southeast corner of Beebe Fielder Road and Cosby Road.

The project matters because the approvals change the property from agricultural and suburban general plan designations into city limits with an urban living general plan and R‑3 multifamily zoning with a planned unit development overlay, and because the developer commits money and land toward reconfiguring Cosby Road — a corridor council members said needs improvement before development intensifies.

Assistant City Manager Chad Marvot described the package as a coordinated set of items, saying the developer “has committed to a number of amenities that are equivalent to previously approved developments.” He told the council the developer agreed to provide 75% masonry, multiple building elevations, and various amenities the staff considered to exceed minimum requirements. Marvot said staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.

Josh Heady, vice president of development for Next Metro Communities, presented the site plan and materials and described the product as a single‑story, single‑family‑rental style neighborhood with a mix of one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units and private backyards. He said the company is contributing about $950,000 toward improvement and restructuring of Cosby Road and will dedicate the land needed for the intersection work.

Council members asked about emergency access and stormwater. Marvot said the city fire marshal and emergency services reviewed the preliminary plat and that “everything complies with our standards” and that the Villa Lockwood plat will require a connection to Mesa Street to improve access for the adjoining subdivision. On stormwater, Marvot said “there is a lot that's dedicated just for stormwater detention on this property” and that design review of water, wastewater and storm drainage will occur at permitting.

Councilman Luke Williams moved approval of the development agreement and related items; Mayor Pro Tem Zach Smith seconded. Council then approved the voluntary annexation, the zoning amendment with the Planned Unit Development, and the preliminary plat with conditions. The motion passed by recorded voice vote via council touch screens (individual vote tallies were not read into the public record).

The development agreement requires the developer to annex the property, use City of Weatherford utilities and to participate in roadway exactions for Cosby Road; staff noted some adjustments requested by the applicant (setback and parking relief, minor unit size adjustments) are incorporated into the PUD stipulations and will be binding on future owners.

Next steps: the developer will proceed with engineering and permitting; the required roadway and utility designs will be reviewed in permitting and construction will follow city standards. Council asked staff to confirm the developer’s roadwork will reach the second point of ingress as discussed; staff and the applicant said they are willing to work on language and partnership options if the council seeks to extend the work further south but said the developer’s current financial exaction cap limits their obligation to the stated contribution.

Because the zoning action uses a Planned Unit Development overlay, its site plan and design stipulations will remain attached to the property unless the council approves changes in the future.