On June 6th, 2024 at the City of Forney Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting, it was revealed that Forney Independent School District (ISD) is seeking to increase the density for housing inside City of Forney limits. Harlan Properties Inc in conjunction with USA Professional Services Group Inc sought to have their property rezoned in the area of Ranch Rd and Innovation Blvd near The Opportunity Central (OC). The OC was opened earlier this year in 2024 and was originally pitched to ISD voters as an occupational campus for higher education purposes in 2019. Once approved the full plan was never released to the public and now it sits as not only an occupational campus, but includes retail, restaurants, and more but is also listed as an over 7000 seat event center the ISD seeks to bolster. The request made on June 6th for higher density housing is putting pressure on the City of Forney and it’s citizens to take more of the burden to population, infrastructure, and traffic, for a building Forney ISD chose the location for the OC.
The original plans for the Adams Ranch Planned Development Overlay District were approved in 2003 with 249 lots to be developed. In 2019 that plan was revised and rezoned to allow 398 lots for development. The new request was to rezone again but to only 31 acres with 221 homes which increases the density even more. When asked why the developer was requesting the rezoning, the representative, David Schnurbusch, responded “Basically, we have no problem with the PD (planned development) that is there today. The reason we’re doing this, is the school district has asked us to be a partner with them.”
The school district is wanting to purchase the other 51 acres as shown in the resolution signed by the Forney ISD Board of Trustees, which was attached with a letter from Superintendent Justin Terry in support of increasing higher density housing. The resolution states “… is necessary for the construction of facilities to meet the educational needs of students in the District.” and then goes on to make their purchase of the 51 acres contingent on the approval of the rezoning of the 31 acres to higher density housing listed above.
What is stated by Mr. Schnurbusch during the meeting is the plans from Forney ISD include open spaces and amenities, which is in contrast to what the Board of Trustees is stating it is to be used for.
As reported by All Things Forney previously in February of 2024, the Superintendent Justin Terry had made multiple statements to many sources the Forney ISD was considering allowing alcohol service in the OC. During that time, multiple sources also stated that Board of Trustee Members and the Superintendent had stated their ideas of possibly developing or partnering with developers to bring things like multi-family, a hotel or hotels, and commercial retail/restaurants to the area(s) surrounding the OC in the future. This also contradicts the resolution which defines their use of the land for the educational needs of students in the district. When city staff was asked by the committee for a copy of the master plan or comprehensive plan from Forney ISD, staff stated they had not been provided with a copy and they could only provide it if FISD were to send the city a copy for review for these areas.
The Forney ISD Chief Operating Officer, Kimberly Morisak, spoke to the committee and regarding the suggested Master Plan or plans by the school district stated “I cannot talk to you about what’s going to be on those 51 acres, that’s been a discussion behind closed doors.”
Some citizens from the public also spoke in opposition that evening to the rezoning. One citizen brought up the use of suggesting that these houses by Harlan Properties would be specifically for teachers and first responders, but there was no contracts or legally binding agreements before the committee to be able to keep those promises. They referred to these tactics as using emotionally evoking terms, and mentioned there is nothing preventing these lower priced homes ($250,000 and up) from being bought by property investors and being turned into rental properties. Commissioner Sandra Carrasco reiterated this sentiment stating there is nothing preventing the home builders from who they will be selling the homes to, and says “I don’t see how Forney ISD is going to come in and be some sort of residential developer, determine, you know, what their position is. I think Forney ISD needs to focus on Forney ISD and the independent school district. Leave residential to the professionals that do that… There is no way that someone can say ‘I’m going to sell these properties to Forney, to first responders or teachers.” She continues with “At this point, I don’t think that higher density is what Forney needs.”
The developer’s representative stated twice during the meeting they could proceed and were happy to proceed with the PD that is already approved in 2019. He specifically states they are only seeking this higher density at the request of Forney ISD.
The Planning and Zoning Committee unanimously denied the rezoning request that evening. Since the meeting, Harlan Properties has submitted an appeal to City Council to overturn the P&Z Board’s unanimous decision to move forward with this rezoning. The public notice has been posted in the Forney Messenger for a public hearing during the July 16th City Council Meeting on this item. With the unanimous denial, a vote to overturn that decision will require a super majority vote by city council of a 5 out of 6 council members. While council has 7 sitting members, in 2023, citizens voted to change the City Charter where the mayor position will only vote in a tie, and a super majority vote would never provide that opportunity.
Link to Public Notice in The Forney Messenger
Link to full video of June 6th 2024 P&Z Meeting
This is a developing story.
