The Bryan Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 16 unanimously approved Conditional Use Permit CU24-108 to allow a motor-fuel retailer on nearly 3.5 acres at 3949 West Villa Maria Road, at the southwest corner of West Villa Maria Road and John Sharp Parkway.

Staff said the project would be the first commercial development within the city's Innovation Corridor overlay since the corridor was adopted in October 2022 and that the site's design conforms to local standards. "So this is a conditional use permit request to allow for a motor fuel retailer on nearly 3 and a half acres on Land Zone Innovation Corridor Retail Services," said Katie Williams, senior planner for the city.

The approved site plan shows a roughly 200-foot-by-50-foot building, the required number of parking spaces, two access points and a gas canopy located with no parking between the building and the right of way. Williams told commissioners the proposal complies with the Innovation Corridor Overlay Standards and zoning ordinance section 130-34T and that TxDOT-required right-of-way improvements include a deceleration lane on John Sharp Parkway.

Paul Jordan, the project's engineer with Centerpole Engineering, told the commission the design will attempt to preserve existing trees away from the frontage where a sidewalk is required. "We are planning on trying to keep as many of the trees as possible to the rear of the building," Jordan said.

Several commissioners praised the site as a practical use of a shallow parcel near RELLIS and the Texas A&M Health Science Center campuses, which flank the Innovation Corridor. Commissioner Clark, who earlier notified the commission of an abstention on a separate consent item, encouraged the city to consider future electric-vehicle charging needs on travel corridors. "I'm not saying that we need to change this or reinvent the wheel tonight, but it is really happening now with all the major companies," Clark said.

A motion to approve CU24-108 and adopt the written staff report as findings passed unanimously. The commission did not record individual named votes in the transcript.

Agenda housekeeping at the start of the meeting included an announcement that Conditional Use Permit CU24-106 has been postponed to the March 6, 2025 meeting at the applicants' request; owners within 200 feet will be notified in writing if it is rescheduled. The consent agenda passed with one abstention: Commissioner Clark filed an affidavit and abstained from voting on Bridal Plat FP24-122.

The commission adjourned at approximately 6:21 p.m.