College Station City Council Approves Texas Independence Park Master Plan

Master Plan for Texas Independence Parkapproved by College Station City Council

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – The College Station City Council approved a new master plan for Texas Independence Park during their meeting on Thursday. The unanimous decision comes after the initial plan to build a baseball park on the site was shelved amidst unfavorable soil conditions discovered last August.

Park Preliminary Approvals

The park, proposed to be located on the same site that was supposed to house Texas Independence Ballpark, has a design developed by city parks and recreation department featuring visions from urban planning and landscape architecture students at Texas A&M University. The anticipated cost falls between $16.7 million and $20.8 million.

The projected park is planned off Rock Prairie Road, east of Highway Six. The park’s innovative facilities included general park area, two bike parks, the ‘destination play experience’ playground, a fishing pond, two disc golf courses, bike trails, and a dog park.

“This is exciting because this is not a park that we have. Period. And so, we are kinda making lemonade out of the lemons that was the ballpark supposed to be there. But I’m really excited about this,” council member William Wright commented.

Upcoming Fiscal Year Tax Rates and Neighbourhood Rezoning Topics

Thursday’s meeting also discussed the proposed tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, neighbourhood rezoning, and traffic congestion. The council approved a public hearing on the proposed property tax rate for the fiscal year 2025, scheduled to take place on August 22.

In the meeting, no changes have been suggested in the current tax rate of 51.3086 cents per $100 of value. No members of the public signed up to present opinions on the proposed tax rate. Another opportunity to voice their views will be given to the public at the upcoming August 22 meeting.

Traffic Congestion and Mobility Analysis

In efforts to improve city traffic conditions, the council released a public survey on July 30, asking for residents’ feedback on traffic congestion. The survey will help identify heavily trafficked areas and monitor congestion trends.

From the fifty intersections selected for analysis, possible traffic problem solutions were deliberated, including additional turn lanes, traffic signal synchronization and alternative methods like roundabouts.

Neighbourhood Rezoning Proposals

Additionally, the council approved a request to rezone three College Station subdivisions from General Suburban to General Suburban with a Restricted Occupancy Overlay (ROO). Under a ROO, no more than two unrelated people can rent together. This zoning application affects the Sweetbriar Addition, Woodland Acres, and College Station Woodlands subdivisions.

While currently registered rental properties can house up to four unrelated individuals, the ordinance changes prevent new rental properties from adding more ‘no more than four’ accommodations. This zoning regulation serves as a snapshot of these areas, preserving them ‘as they exist today,’ according to city officials.