Planning & Development Department

The Planning & Development Department provides planning, development, historic preservation, and permits & building services to the businesses and citizens of Willow Park. This department also provides information regarding subdivision regulations, census data, population changes, and future development objectives.

Why choose Willow Park as the home for your business?

The Demographics:   

• Parker County is ranked #6 of the fastest growing counties in the Unites States for the largest population growth at 5.6% and the City of Willow Park is the 2^nd fastest growing city in Parker County, at a rate of 4.8% annually; 14.06% growth since the 2020 census, and 51.11% from 2000-2014, much higher than the national average;
• 41% of Willow Park’s land is residentially zoned;
• Willow Park’s current population includes approximately 6,000 residents; our build-out is estimated at about 13,000 residents, but it has the potential to expand its city limits further and significantly increase its population;
• Willow Park’s bordering cities of Aledo, “the Annettas” (Annetta North, Annetta South, and Annetta) and Hudson Oaks make up a combined population of approximately 11,000;
• We are in direct proximity to the eastern/southeastern large master-planned residential neighborhoods of Morningstar (1,150 homesites), Parks of Aledo (1,031 homesites), and Walsh Ranch (3,500-4,000 homes at full build-out);
• The Aledo Independent School District, to which Willow Park’s residents feed, employs over 700 employees, the largest employer in Parker County; AISD educates nearly 7,500 students; one elementary school is within our City limits;
• Trinity Christian Academy, a private K-12 campus, educates approximately 600 students and employs 125 faculty and staff; its school is within our City limits;
• The daytime traffic count driving on highway I-20, as it divides our city, is nearly 100,000 vehicles per day;
• We are near in proximity to the proposed upcoming commercial “super site”;
• Property valuations within the City of Willow Park have increased steadily within the past three years;
• Sales Tax collection for the City of Willow Park can be found here;
• Willow Park’s commercially zoned property only makes up 7% of our city, most of which is directly adjacent to the I-20 highway, along the north and south service roads.

The Infrastructure:

• TXDOT infrastructure projects are focused on this area since growth is moving west;
• Parker County is proposing an improvement project for East Bankhead Highway which passed in a November 2023 bond election.  These improvements will greatly impact mobility and commercial interest within and along the southern city limits of Willow Park;
• City of Willow Park is:
  • Preparing to extend East Bankhead Highway to FM5, which will not only create another route of transportation from I-20 but will also open another business corridor and potentially widen our extraterritorial jurisdiction and/or city limits.
  • Working with TXDOT on a project of replacing Kings Gate Bridge, due to let in 2024.
  • In progress of a multi-million dollar street project and drainage project to improve the infrastructure of our streets with concrete and improve drainage in many areas within our city.
  • Construction of our new Wastewater Treatment Plant began in January 2024, which will service all potential growth within the next five years, with add-on capability for growth beyond our expectations.
  • Planning for expansion of our sewer and water lines toward the eastern corridor of our city.

The Commercial Businesses & Development:  The City of Willow Park values its business partnerships and is dedicated to helping each business succeed.  Willow Park may or may not be your family’s home, but it is your business’ home, and we don’t take that for granted.   

We also pride ourselves on our professional partnerships with our landowners, developers, and businesses, and our dedication to helping them grow and thrive.  We host an Economic Development Meeting regularly to have up-to-date information on available commercial sites within our City, all of which are accessible to I-20, and most of which are highly visible, “shovel ready”, have public utilities available, and can be subdivided.  Further, we welcome the chance to visit with new businesses and begin our business relationship by bringing together our entire team at City Hall to meet and review any potential ideas before a purchase is even finalized. 

Once your project begins, know that we’re still here for you, working together for your success…we’re always available to you for questions or concerns; every project is reviewed and permitted in-house; and, our applicants can always check progress in real-time through our software program. 

What’s already here? 

       Retail and shopping include:

• Brookshires grocery store
• Lazy J western
• Lucchese Boots
• Lone Star Dry Goods
• Several other shops, boutiques, and salons. 

Restaurants currently in Willow Park:

• Starbucks Coffee
• Sunny Street Café
• Railhead BBQ
• Parker County Brewing Co.
• Drake’s Yoke
• Cibi’s Italian Bistro
• Fuzzy’s Tacos
• What-A-Burger
• McDonald’s
• Chicken Express
• Sonic Drive-In
• Subway
• Pizza Hut
• And more!

What’s coming soon?  The City of Willow Park has a several new commercial projects going on now and recently completed,  including:

• The District, restaurant and entertainment area is nearing completion, pre-leasing, and set for opening late 2024.
• Standard Service restaurant (sister of H.G. Supply restaurant) has commenced construction on their site.
• Tommy’s Boats is currently under civil review with the City.
• Taco Bueno and Papa John’s restaurants Site Development Plan Permits have been approved.  
• Two new upcoming subdivisions: Country Hollow (98 single-family homes) are under construction, and The Reserves, Phase II (74 single-family homes) is in the process of replatting.
• Two multi-family projects have just been completed, totaling about 166 units, most of which are already rented and occupied.
• The City of Willow Park now has eight medical office buildings either on the ground or in the works, four of which just opened in the past three months, including G.I. Alliance,  Texas Health Orthopedic & Spine Surgery Center, and Baylor Scott & White Primary Care; Texas Health Willow Park’s medical offices and Emergency Room building has space reserved for the hospital expansion, hopefully in its near future; and several other providers currently operational include Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology, Trinity River Oral Surgery, Myser Orthodontics, Medical Associates of Willow Park, and several others. 

City Zoning Map 

City Limits Map

Willow Park Comprehensive Plan

Willow Park’s Parks & Trails Master Plan 

Geographic Information Systems for City of Willow Park (please note that GIS data may not be fully up to date due to rapid growth and development)

The Willow Park City Council adopted our Parks & Trails Master Plan Amendment on 10/10/23 which shows our direction with Hike & Bike Trails within our city, with initial construction due to BEGIN THIS WINTER!   Map may be reviewed in person, if desired)

Willow Park was recently conveyed a new City park on Kings Gate Road, proposed for the trailhead location, a mountain biking skills area, and a public restroom, for which planning has already begun.

The Culture of the City of Willow Park  

The difference is in the experience.  Our City staff is committed to providing the highest customer service to our residents and our businesses, dedicated to our responsibilities for the present and future of Willow Park, and working together, from those within the walls of City Hall to beyond our city limits, to make each contact a refreshingly pleasant experience for everyone.  Because we can and we care. 

Each of these ideals is the competitive advantage of Willow Park, and it proves why Willow Park is the best choice for your new business. 

We are “open for business” and here to help! 

The Planning & Development Department acts as liaison to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the City Council.