September 21, 2026

By Mary Beth Gahan

Town council delayed a vote on TotalCare ER after the applicant failed to alleviate neighbor concerns about potential impacts to the residential areas of Rustic Timbers and Hunters Glen.

The 24-hour facility, which is 7,980 square feet, would go into an already-built retail building south of Cross Timbers Road, north of Arrowhead Drive, and west of Fireside Drive. It is defined as an office, medical, and dental facility with extended hours — those between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. — and that prompted the need for a special use permit.

TotalCare ER would provide x-rays, CT scans, and labs, but would not have a surgical unit or intensive care unit.

The planning and zoning commission recommended denial for the permit on Sept. 14, which triggered a need for a super majority of town council members in favor.

Commissioners expressed concern about the impact to the neighborhoods to the east and southwest of the building, specifically in relation to noise and lights.

The applicant did not ask for a variance from the town’s noise or lighting ordinance and the facility would not have ambulances dropping off patients. There would be a minimal amount of ambulances transporting patients from the facility to a hospital, but sirens or lights would rarely be needed because the patient would be stabilized before being transferred, Cameron Culver, the lead architect, said.

Since a the potential for a change of ownership in future years was a discussion among commissioners, town staff looked into it and said the facility could not become a full hospital without a new special use permit.

Commissioners also pointed out last week the number of urgent care facilities in the area and wondered if the facility was needed. There is an emergency room at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.

“An ER, when you need it, is lifesaving,” Culver said on Monday night. “When you need it, yes this will serve the community.”

After a presentation Monday by the TotalCare ER that touched on things brought up during the planning and zoning commission meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Adam Schiestel asked Culver if they’d reached out to the neighbors. When he said no, it became clear that the council would not approve the special use permit that night.

“I don't think this is a bad fit. You've convinced me,” Schiestel said. “Where you've missed the mark is not meeting with the neighbors.”

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Brian Taylor agreed and said it was a “great benefit to the town.” He suggested setting up a meeting with neighbors in Rustic Timbers and Hunters Glen before coming back to a council meeting.

“That's what it's going to take to get the rest of the council on board,” Taylor said.

Culver said he would reach out to nearby residents and come back to the council in the coming weeks.