A new zoning classification is in the works for Farmersville and will allow businesses such as concrete and asphalt to open within the city limits.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved adding the zoning classification of ‘High Impact Industrial’ in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Monday, Oct. 22 and city council also approved the addition Tuesday, Oct. 23.

City Manager Ben White reviewed background information with the city council at the meeting. Staff had asked city council to direct the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the city’s heavy industrial zoning classification as it applies to concrete and asphalt batch plants in particular.

“In seeking that direction, staff explained to the city council we had visited with a number of concrete batch plant operators that plan to open new locations in the Farmersville area. All of the proposed locations are in the city’s ETJ,” White said. “We also explained the economic benefit to the city of bringing those businesses together with their sales tax revenues and the positive impacts of adding the businesses as water customers. We believe that the economic benefit of a single mature plant to be approximately $400,000 per year and that this justified trying to persuade the businesses to request annexation into the city’s corporate limits.”

By Wyndi Veigel • News Editor • [email protected]

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