The Denison Planning and Zoning Commission gave the green light to a major rezoning request that could reshape a 96‑acre parcel off Highway 75, just before the Red River crossing. The request, submitted by Landon Winery President Bob Landon, seeks to change the land’s designation from a Light Industrial (LI) district to a Planned Development (PD) overlay, allowing a mixed‑use village‑style project.
Project details
The tract, listed on the commission’s agenda as 6845 N. Highway 75 and measured at 95.935 acres, sits within the Highway Oriented and Corridor (HO) district. Landon envisions a European‑inspired village that clusters a vineyard, pecan orchard, distillery, hotel, cabins, and both single‑family and multifamily housing.
“I looked at that property for years. It’s right on the river. It’s right on Highway 75 and I thought, somebody should buy that. Put a vineyard on there and a winery and an orchard,” Landon said.
Visitor experience
Landon hopes the development will become a destination where guests can spend an entire day. “You maybe do a wine tasting in the afternoon, maybe do a barrel tasting, and then at night you have a wine dinner led by a chef and a winemaker,” he explained.
Infrastructure challenges
The biggest hurdle, according to Landon, is utilities. The site currently has a six‑inch water line, sufficient for a wine‑making operation but inadequate for a hotel or larger facilities. The sewer line sits half a mile away, electric lines will need to be buried, and new roads must be constructed.
“We have a water line out there, but it’s a six‑inch water line. Okay, that’s big enough for me, for my wine room, but it’s not big enough for a hotel or anything else out there, right?” Landon said.
Timeline and next steps
The rezoning request now moves to the Denison City Council, which is scheduled to consider it on Monday. If approved, the project will move into site preparation, including dirt work, utility upgrades and road building.
“From the time I finally move dirt and I’m ready, then it’s at least another two years before the vineyard goes in, and another three to five before I have grapes,” Landon said. “Be patient with us. It’s going to take a while, but it’s going to be great.”
Community impact
Supporters see the development as a boost to local tourism and a new source of jobs, while also preserving a scenic riverfront area. Critics have raised concerns about traffic, water usage and the cost of extending utilities. The Planning Commission’s approval indicates that officials believe the benefits outweigh the challenges, but final City Council approval will determine the project’s fate.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
