Voting and public comment on the Featherline Road rezoning has been postponed, residents are speaking out

On November 20, 2024By Pranco

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Killeen residents left tonight’s council meeting outraged after learning they would not be allowed to comment publicly on a proposed rezoning of Featherline Road, an area that has sparked significant controversy.

Up to 300 homes could be built along the road, but residents are concerned about increasing traffic on a street that already needs to be widened.

Citizens said there were two notices about the public hearing for Featherline Road. However, one of the notices stated the date for the next council meeting.

Because there were two separate public hearings on the matter, the council allowed residents to speak during citizen comment tonight, but decided to move the public comment and vote to Dec. 3.

Some residents said that even if they had limited time to speak, they would not hold back.

As Featherline Road becomes increasingly busy, residents are becoming increasingly concerned about the proposed construction of around 300 new homes along the street.

Killeen resident James Sills said he witnessed numerous accidents on the road, so he collected more than 530 signatures on a petition to stop the rezoning.

“What people want is for the infrastructure to be in order first, and then to approve the zoning plan and build the houses. That is what we are fighting for,” he said.

Residents were willing to express their concerns to the municipality.

However, they expressed their frustrations after learning they couldn’t speak during public comments, like Heather McNeely.

“And I changed my flight to fly here at my own expense – at my own expense of $100. Do you know where I am now on December 3? Where I needed to be today, she said.

“It’s a shame. I just think they should let the citizens speak at the public hearing and just not vote. I don’t understand what problem that will cause,” Sills said.

Residents were allowed to speak during the meeting comments from citizens Even though their time was limited, they made their concerns clear.

One resident shared a personal experience: “I can tell you about the time I sprained my ankle trying to walk past Featherline. It’s rusted. There is no sidewalk, no paved shoulder, nothing. And there are children who are trying to go to school.”

Sills emphasized the importance of research in advocating for change in the community.

“There are currently 1,500 homes being built in that area. But there will be more than 4,000 homes between Turbo Ranch and Thousand Oaks, which is within a mile. The repurposing is not in accordance with the integrated plan. It does not meet the requirements of a complete neighborhood. It does not meet the mobility and connectivity with the city,” said Sills.

However, Mayor Debbie Nash-King continues to maintain that Featherline Road is the city’s top priority, and she is confident experts have come up with a feasible plan.

“I believe so strongly in the staff that they would not approve something that will hurt the city and strain the resources we have. This is not an opinion, we have experts in this field,” said Nash-King.

Once again, public comment and discussion on the proposed rezoning of the area will take place at the next council meeting on December 3.