City of Liberty Hill implements development matrix

Killeen Daily Herald
Leshelle Vallejo, Staff Writer
December 13, 2023

The City of Liberty Hill has unveiled a comprehensive development matrix aimed at streamlining the evaluation of proposed projects.

This matrix is a valuable tool for city officials during the early stages of project assessment. It also gives the community a transparent overview of the City's priorities and expectations regarding future development.

Projects are split into different categories, including preferred, priority, neutral and low.

Projects falling within the “preferred” category are given top priority. These include developments located within the City limits, emphasizing industrial, commercial and mixed-use projects. They are adjacent to existing infrastructure with ample capacity to service the proposed project and are sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation as part of downtown development.

These projects will also involve developers willing to exceed minimum requirements or incorporate such standards within a Planned Unit Development ordinance, and are fully funded by the developer, covering all necessary infrastructure extensions or upgrades, with no upfront financial involvement requested from the City.

Projects in the “priority” category are given significant consideration and may include being directly adjacent to City limits and expressing willingness to annex, especially for industrial or high-intensity commercial development.

These projects must also be willing to secure a sales tax agreement with Emergency Services District (ESD) #4 if outside City limits and demonstrate a commitment to providing tangible benefits to the City, possibly through a PUD ordinance. Developers must also agree to fund the project entirely, covering infrastructure extensions or upgrades, with minimal upfront investment or with agreed-upon EDC financial involvement.

Projects in the “neutral” category, while not top priorities, will be considered under specific conditions. These projects are located outside the City limits or are non-contiguous to the City limits, but willing to annex, among other conditions.

Lastly, projects falling under the “low” priority category may need help gaining approval. Criteria includes being located outside the City limits or non-contiguous to the City limits without willingness to annex, being more than a half mile away from a utility line without sufficient capacity, and involving industrial, commercial, or residential development with high water usage, among other concerns. 

The matrix, conceived during the 2024 budget process, serves as a roadmap for city staff, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and the City Council during the early stages of development proposal reviews, such as pre-development meetings. This comprehensive guide outlines specific criteria collectively agreed upon, ensuring a clear and concise understanding of the City's expectations, according to City officials.