Present: Commission Chair Jared Fowler, Commissioners Michael Chandler and Ever Gomez — barely making quorum with just three members. Also present: City Planner Chelsea Kirkland, Interim City Manager Toni Fisher, and City Attorney Andrew Messer (Messer Fort).
A short but consequential meeting that lasted just 30 minutes. The commission held two public hearings and took action on three items: a C Commercial rezoning for the Havins Subdivision property on Bankhead Highway (approved, not unanimously), a digital sign SUP for the Willow Springs Oak Shopping Center (approved unanimously), and the Beall-Dean Ranch 317-acre preliminary plat (approved unanimously). The Havins rezoning would later be denied 4-0 by City Council at the March 24 meeting, making it the first P&Z recommendation overturned by council in the 2026 cycle.
Public Hearing (6:02 – 6:06 PM): A letter from citizen James Bell, P.E. (4206 Bond Rd) was read aloud by Chelsea Kirkland. Property owner Eddie Joe Eades (6603 E Bankhead) spoke in favor, stating there are many businesses along Bankhead in the county including storage and pickleball facilities. He said the property is "a disaster" and that a golf cart sales operation would do well there. He mentioned Aledo Golf Carts as the interested buyer.
Discussion: Chelsea Kirkland presented the staff briefing and staff recommended approval. Commissioner Chandler asked about the applicant's options. Mr. Eades went further into detail about Aledo Golf Carts' interest, mentioning the entrance would stay on Bankhead with no noise or extra traffic. Commissioner Gomez raised concerns about what would happen if the business failed — if the property is rezoned commercial, any commercial use could move in. Mr. Eades acknowledged he doesn't control future uses but said the commissioners do through the zoning process.
This recommendation went to the March 24 City Council meeting, where council denied the request 4-0. Council's stated reason: blanket "C" Commercial zoning would allow any commercial business. Council directed the applicant to return with a Specific Use Permit (SUP) instead. The property returns to P&Z on April 21 — this time requesting the narrower "LR" Local Retail classification, with a new intended tenant (an optometrist's office instead of Aledo Golf Carts).
Public Hearing (6:07 – 6:08 PM): Taylor Ray from Delisias (4098 E I-20 Svs Rd S) attended as a representative to speak on the application. The sign is an existing sign that is broken, and the request is to replace it with high-quality LEDs.
Discussion: Chelsea Kirkland presented the item. The sign was existing and needed repair. When the owner explored upgrading to a digital sign, they were informed an SUP was required. City staff reviewed and recommended approval conditional upon the sign changing content once daily between 12 AM and 3 AM.
Chair Fowler read the agenda item. Chelsea Kirkland presented the staff briefing as written and noted that water service is at the northwest corner of the property and that wastewater utilities were going out for bid on March 20 (which became the Bankhead Utility Extension Phase 2 contract awarded to Skyblue Utilities on April 14 for $4.12 million).
Chad with Westwood (the engineering firm) was present for questions. No significant discussion was recorded beyond the brief presentation.
No executive session was held. The meeting lasted 30 minutes total. These minutes are on the consent agenda for approval at the April 21 P&Z meeting.
