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Bellmead Plans Mixed-Use Development Across 32 Acres
A city planning request would shift 32 acres along Bagby Avenue from single-family to mixed-use zoning, opening the way for apartments and shops in Bellmead.
How we reported this
The Waco Planning Commission will hold a public hearing July 22 on a rezoning application that targets 32 acres in the Bellmead suburb from R-1 residential to a mixed-use district allowing up to four-story buildings.
The request arrives as Waco records show single-family permit applications fell 18 percent in the first half of 2026 while rental vacancy rates dropped below 5 percent for the first time since 2022. Local builders point to rising construction costs and limited land supply inside the city limits as reasons for the shift toward denser projects on the north side.
Site sits near schools and transit routes
The parcels front Bagby Avenue between 18th and 22nd streets, two blocks from Bellmead Elementary School and within a half-mile of three Waco Transit System stops that run to downtown. The change would also place new units within a 10-minute drive of the Dr Pepper Museum and the Silos at Magnolia Market, two draws that already pull visitors through the area each weekend.
Current zoning caps the land at one house per lot on roughly 25 separate parcels. City records list a median assessed value of $215,000 for homes on those blocks as of the June 2026 appraisal roll. The applicant, a local development firm, submitted traffic studies projecting 420 new vehicle trips during evening peak hours if the full 180-unit plan moves forward.
Next steps for residents and buyers
Comments can be filed with the planning department until July 18. The commission vote will set the terms for any future site plan, which must still clear the city council before permits can be issued. Property owners within 200 feet of the site received mailed notices last week.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.