Glen Heights council approves PD‑33 rezoning with two‑year build limits tied to Loop 9

The Glen Heights City Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance O‑20‑25 to rezone roughly 46.32 acres along Southwestmoreland Road to Planned Development 33 for a mixed‑use development containing single‑family patio homes, multifamily housing and commercial districts.

City planner Jalen Hadnott presented the third reading of the proposal and described the concept plan, saying the applicant is exceeding the city’s open‑space requirement: "They are exceeding that with 12%." The presentation showed a gated configuration for multifamily units and an eight‑foot masonry screening wall between new multifamily areas and existing single‑family homes.

Council members questioned traffic and staging. Staff recommended that multifamily and commercial uses not be eligible to be built for two years after PD approval or until Loop 9 construction affecting the site starts, whichever comes first, to avoid premature traffic impacts. Developer Farooq Hazem told council the applicant intends to delay vertical permitting for up to two years or until Loop 9 work at the property begins to retain flexibility.

After discussion, a motion to adopt O‑20‑25 passed 5–2; Councilmembers Bruton and Hale voted no. The ordinance rezones the parcels to PD‑33 under the updated PD regulations and the timing restrictions discussed.

The council did not attach additional amendments beyond the staff recommendations; implementation steps such as site‑specific traffic improvements (left‑turn and deceleration lanes) and a property‑owner agreement for commercial parcels were discussed as follow‑ups.