PRESENTER: Presenter
Christopher J. Looney, AICP, Planning Director
Applicant: Walmart Stores East, LP (Joe Frederick)
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SUBJECT: Title
Public hearing and first reading of an ordinance, at the request of Walmart Stores East, LP (Joe Frederick) on behalf of Frederick Frueholz, Jr. Estate (Joe H. Tays), regarding the proposed rezoning of approximately 72.097 acres out of the A.M. Esnaurizar Grant, Abstract No. 1, from APD AH (Agricultural/Pre-development, Airport Hazard Overlay District) to M-1A AH (Light Industrial, Airport Hazard Overlay District), generally located south of Kohlenberg Road and west of FM 1101
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case Number: PZ25-0366
Applicant: Walmart Stores East, LP (Joe Frederick)
Joe.Frederick@walmart.com
Owner: Frederick Frueholz, Jr. Estate (Joe H. Tays)
nbtays@gmail.com
Staff Contact: Mary Lovell
(830) 221-4051
mlovell@newbraunfels.gov
The undeveloped subject property is approximately 72.1 acres and is part of a larger (237 acre) tract located approximately 0.3 of a mile southwest from the intersection of Kohlenberg Road and FM 1101. Surrounding land uses include manufacturing and warehousing to the west and south, residential located outside the city limits across FM 1101 to the east, and undeveloped land and the Continental USA manufacturing facility to the north. Surrounding zoning consists of APD to the west and north, and MU-B (High Intensity Mixed Use District) to the south. Properties to the east and west are outside the city limits.
ISSUE:
Walmart operates a distribution center on the adjacent parcel addressed at 3900 North I-35. They are requesting a change in the base zoning district to expand their truck and trailer parking lot associated with the current facility onto the subject property.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
M-1A at this location is consistent with the following actions from Envision New Braunfels:
• Action 1.3: Encourage balanced and fiscally responsible land use patterns.
• Action 1.6: Incentivize infill development and redevelopment to take advantage of existing infrastructure.
• Action 1.8: Concentrate future investment in industrial and employment centers near existing and emerging hubs, such as the airport; and along existing high-capacity transportation networks, such as Interstate Highway 35.
• Action 3.1: Plan for a healthy jobs/ housing balance.
• Action 3.3: Balance commercial centers with stable neighborhoods.
Future Land Use Plan: The subject property is located within Oak Creek Sub Area, and near existing and future Employment Centers.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
• Economic Mobility: Incentivize mixed-use developments and redevelopments in targeted locations to create a built environment with integrated housing, commercial centers, and opportunities for improved connectivity.
• Economic Mobility: Support Confluence, the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Strategic Plan, by helping to ensure a community that supports the targeted industries and increases the diversity of job opportunities in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed rezoning request is in alignment with the following recommendations and strategies of the Land Use Fiscal Analysis:
• Continuing to provide a balance of high-quality small commercial buildings and businesses and larger, more autocentric businesses that draw employees and customers from a broader area is important to keeping New Braunfels’ economy healthy.
• Prioritize infill projects that add people and buildings in areas with existing infrastructure. This will increase revenue to provide service delivery without significant impacts on infrastructure costs and distribute cost burdens across more home/business owners.
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA): Per adopted ordinance, a Level 3 TIA Report will be conducted at the Subdivision Platting and/or Building Permit stage, as applicable.
Drainage: Per adopted ordinance, if a drainage study is required, it will be conducted with the Public Infrastructure Construction Plan approval process and/or Building Permit stage, as applicable.
Utilities: As part of the routine intake review process, the water provider for the subject site, NBU (New Braunfels Utilities), reviewed the proposed zoning change request and has responded with no comments.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval. M-1A at this location would allow development that aligns with Envision New Braunfels, the Strategic Plan, and the Land Use Fiscal Analysis.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 5, 2025 and unanimously recommended approval of the applicant’s request (8-0-0).
Mailed notification as required by state statute:
Public hearing notices were sent to owners of 7 properties within 200 feet of the request. To date, no responses have been received.
Resource Links:
• Chapter 144, Sec. 3.4-1 (APD) of the City’s Code of Ordinances: <https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH144ZO_ARTIIIZODI_S144-3.4ZODIREPRZOSUJU221987>
• Chapter 144, Sec. 3.4-18 (M-1A) of the City’s Code of Ordinances: <https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH144ZO_ARTIIIZODI_S144-3.4ZODIREPRZOSUJU221987>
• Chapter 144, Sec. 5.20 (AH) of the City’s Code of Ordinances: <https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH144ZO_ARTVDEST_S144-5.20AIHAZODI>