Benbrook residents will face a key public hearing on July 10 at 7:30 PM regarding a proposed zoning change in the Rowan Ranch area, which includes a floodplain along Mary’s Creek.
The developer seeks to rezone a portion of the area for apartments and high-density single-family homes, encompassing over 60 acres within the floodplain. That zoning shifts from the current low-density residential rules that effectively prevent building there.
Proponents argue that technical fixes, such as cut-and-fill methods and FEMA approval, could keep new homes above floodwaters. However, neighbors fear that increasing hard surfaces and removing green buffers will accelerate runoff, worsen flooding downstream, and threaten existing homes along the creekside.
This isn’t a change to the city’s guiding Comprehensive Plan. It’s a zoning-only vote. If it passes, the developer will receive approval to proceed with planning and FEMA work before the public sees the final site plans. If it fails, the process restarts.
The meeting next week could decide whether Benbrook prioritizes growth and tax revenue or takes a more cautious approach to development in vulnerable flood zones.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.