Council approves land acquisition

Willow Park, the second largest city in Parker County, is about to get a lot bigger in the next few years following a decision by the city council at its Nov. 12 meeting.

The council approved the annexation of 317 acres of land owned by Dean-Beall Ranch, Ltd. The land is located on the southwest corner of Interstate 20 and Highway 1187, running all the way to Bankhead Highway.

“We could not be more excited to have Beall come into our city,” Mayor Pro Tem Lea Young said.

The addition of the property will include 35.3 acres of single family residential space, 91.7 acres of multi-family residential, 135.2 acres of commercial and 55.5 acres of light industrial.

Potential businesses for the area include sit-down restaurants, fast food restaurants, big box retail, grocers, convenience stores, office and work space. The residential portion will include some green space with a neighborhood park and some small water areas.

“I think everything is going to be beautiful where it’s going,” said Toni Fisher, Assistant City Manager of Development and Parks.

City Manager Bryan Grimes thanked and credited Fisher for getting the idea going for the development.

“I don’t know if this happens if Toni Fisher is somewhere else,” he said. “She’s the one who reached out.”

Grimes said the development will be “the front door to Willow Park.”

The housing could greatly add to the already booming population of the city. The most recent population was recorded at around 9,000, according to city officials, up from around 5,000 in 2020. This project is estimated to bring several thousand more to the community, likely more than doubling or more the 2020 population.

"Obviously, those who live here enjoy the beautiful scenery, but in Texas private property rights are fiercely protected by state law," Willow Park Communications Director Rose Hoffman said. "Development in this area was inevitable and was foreseen as far back as the 1970s.

"By annexing this land into the city of Willow Park, we are exercising some control over this development and our future."

Hoffman stressed the City of Fort Worth is relinquishing the property from its extraterritorial jurisdiction because they could not provide utilities to the area. Beall Development asked if Willow Park could and the city leaders responded with a yes, she added.

Beall Development Director Robert Beall told the council, “We were kind of stuck in Fort Worth’s jurisdiction. We’re glad to get out of that and into Willow Park’s ETJ.”

City officials estimate that, at build out, the value of the property would be around $500 million. Build out will take place in three phases, with dates to be determined.

Once the city has the development agreement in place, they have up to 24 months to get water and sewer in place. When that process is complete, it is anticipated that businesses and residences will begin to pop up in the next 12 to 18 months.

To help with the purchase and renovating of the land, etc., the council approved issuing certificates of obligation not to exceed $5,135,000. This is long-term borrowing that cities can use to fund major capital projects without voter approval.

The council also approved the creation of a public improvement district (PID) and a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) in the area. The TIRZ abatement buys down the property taxes as an incentive to the developer and property assessments from the PID will be used to cover the cost of improvements.

Council also approved entering a sales tax agreement with Parker County Emergency Services District 1 that officials noted could essentially double the current sales tax collection of around $2 million annually in years 1-5 and more than quadruple that amount to more $8 million in years 6-10.

Concerning water to the area, Hoffman said Willow Park has more than enough that they receive through an agreement with the City of Fort Worth to provide to the new area. She added that wastewater service will have to be expanded, with Hudson Oaks as a partner, and that there is a lift station closer to the area to satisfy that need.

The addition of the property will expand Willow Park’s city limits by half a square mile.

“We are excited for the growth opportunities this brings to the City of Willow Park and Parker County. The Beall-Dean Ranch project stands as a testament to Willow Park’s commitment to thoughtful expansion and its bright future,” Beall said.

“I remember vividly when Robert called and said, ‘We want to be in Willow Park,’” City Manager Bryan Grimes said. “I can’t imagine a developer understanding a city and a city’s needs as much as Robert.

“We’re gonna have some really cool stuff in Willow Park.”

Use of TikTok on city devices banned

In connection with the Texas 88th Legislature's Senate Bill 1983, the council approved the banning of TikTok on city devices. Hoffman said it was a formality as the city already does not allow the use of TikTok.

"This is not going to affect how we do business," she said.