Keller officials denied the relocation of the Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Therapy services center in the city.

The motion failed to pass after a 3-3 vote, with Mayor Armin Mizani and council members Chris Whatley and Karen Brennan voting in support of the relocation. Council members Shannon Dubberly, Ross McMullin and Greg Will voted against it at a regular council meeting April 7.

The details

The Baylor Scott & White services center, currently located at 460 Keller Parkway, is seeking a larger space to meet the area’s patient demands, per previous reporting.

The new location under consideration is the same spot as a former Petco in Keller Town Center. Brandie Owen, the regional director for Baylor Scott & White’s Institute for Rehabilitation, said this location would be able to go from serving 40 to 60 patients a day.

Ana Erwin, Keller’s assistant director of economic development, said the city has seen interest for a restaurant to go in the location but would require at least $1 million-$2 million to install a kitchen in the space.

“If you’re going to invest that much in a kitchen, you want to definitely own the property or you want the real estate company that owns the building to front quite a bit of that cost,” Erwin said. “Which is pretty substantial to convert a former retail pet store into a restaurant, especially to meet the standards these days.”

Erwin said the space has been considered by quick-service restaurants, national names and local restaurant owners.

Council Member Shannon Dubberly said the town center has seen an increase in medical businesses.

“I have some concerns about bringing even more medical, especially that much square footage of town center across from a lot of the restaurants on the other side of the street,” he said. “[But] it could bring some foot traffic for people to use those restaurants.”

Keller officials recommended that Baylor Scott & White reapply for its relocation after considering a different space in Keller or discussing the relocation with council members who denied the relocation.

Also of note

Keller officials approved new equipment for the Keller Fire Department that allows first responders to temporarily change traffic signal timing.

The new traffic signal pre-emption equipment comes from Paradigm Traffic Systems from Arlington, according to city documents, and will replace equipment that has reached the end of its service life and is not compatible with new signal infrastructure.

The upgrades are being paid through the Fleet Replacement Fund, which is part of the city’s general fund, for $117,900, according to city documents. The equipment helps provide first responders with a safe and efficient route through intersections during emergency responses and helps improve response times.