[{"_1":2,"_118":-5,"_119":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6070366,"mediaKeyId","3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53","parentId",3051323,"title","Fate City Council votes on land-use, utilities and charter items; several measures pass, key zoning change fails","audioSeconds",5456,"startMs",1502000,"endMs",6958000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53&start=1502&end=6958","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53/thumbnail_1502000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070366/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Fate-City-Council-votes-on-land-use-utilities-and-charter-items-several-measures-pass-key-zoning-change-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070366-d90a9cc81032fa844c74ca081285dbfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201662&Signature=BliTIKiOVD25tfn7AN6j0INw4reBBWjkP7zD0y7NkjzGAi40jU0EH968HwpaZPuXEk-SXxfXPWxSaA3FMY~1rfubnf3V4XsB9tGjIRQKoE00XlQ9op3dQxyUlC-svWyDtYKY16Mnj~AxF2X1twyXDr1dim-r25KaGPY1wII0lO9KNhi8XpL9ZZCvjx4NWUq2aOzwZiuZ~m47zes7VfsEwhoAUt~JF0B4BtJirKDOMzFL8ALXj8GH-7oWPSoXq1wwnRyvPZcNyqAHaY8T4j5O1uatyCXWhIJowUMy3tdyGOIwJ7VjGaLc-sjIzayISN6pQeJaQ4iHH-7XA8dSl68ZDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityOfFate","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","Fate City Council met Jan. 27 and took action on several city items, including a zoning map amendment and related rezoning for a 54‑acre tract north of Interstate 30, a new ordinance requiring residential utility accounts to be held in owners’ names, adoption of several Charter Commission suggestions and multiple other consent items.

The council rejected a future land‑use plan amendment for the Stodge Hill / Monterra area after more than an hour of presentations, questions and public comment; a separate zoning request for the same property was later denied. Council approved an ordinance changing how the city handles residential utility accounts so new accounts must be opened in the owner’s name, advanced Charter Commission recommendations to the ballot (with some council-directed edits), and asked staff to return with a narrowed sign-code amendment after public concern about speech and small business impacts.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance O2025-52 (Monterra Capital PID Fund): approved 6–0–1 (one abstention). - Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Music Office (agenda item 5A): approved 7–0. - Resolution R2025-006 (Keep Fate Beautiful): approved 7–0. - Future Land Use Plan Amendment FLUP24-001 (Stodge Hill 54): motion to adopt failed 4–3. - Zoning case ZR24-010 (rezoning to PD for Stodge Hill 54): council voted to deny the zoning request 5–2. - Ordinance amending UDO Article 8 (temporary signage): no ordinance adopted; council directed staff to return with a narrower draft focused on larger signs that block sightlines and to exclude downtown core/sidewalk-a-frame exceptions. - Ordinance O2025-004 (require residential utility service to be in the owner’s name for new accounts): passed (recorded 6–1; one councilmember opposed). - Charter Commission recommendations: council approved multiple non‑substantive edits and approved new language setting the charter commission membership minimum at seven voting Fayette residents with a limit on councilmember participation (details below).

Most measures were noncontroversial and approved on the consent agenda. After the Stodge Hill discussion, the council paused for a final vote on zoning and the future land‑use amendment; those items drew the largest public turnout and the most debate.

What’s next: staff will prepare election/ballot language for the Charter Commission items the council approved and will return with a revised, narrower sign-code proposal for a later meeting. For the Stodge Hill project, the failed FLUP and the denied zoning mean the developer may revise the proposal or the landowner may pursue other entitlements; no council action will take place on that property unless another application is filed.

Ending: The council adjourned at the close of an executive session and set its next business meeting on its regular schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Fate - Special City Council Meeting - January 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Fate City Council met Jan. 27 and took action on several city items, including a zoning map amendment and related rezoning for a 54‑acre tract north of Interstate 30, a new ordinance requiring residential utility accounts to be held in owners’ names, adoption of several Charter Commission suggestions and multiple other consent items.","taxTitle","Fate, Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",69589,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070346,"Council advances Charter Commission recommendations to ballot, adopts procedural edits and membership rules",668,9415000,10083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53&start=9415&end=10083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53/thumbnail_9415000.jpg","/articles/6070346/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-advances-Charter-Commission-recommendations-to-ballot-adopts-procedural-edits-and-membership-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070346-4a9f14a4dc5398090ded4ad095096ad1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201662&Signature=WAFWMzJCrIF3w0CbQfBBS6NMtTes5gMQWCkWt3qZ1RgJoIRpyGHvNVRkq2psMOd2-K5OFn7~YGqV0cgPB5TTpXo5O0ShyHApO4zrvKehGPJEh~kzvhVQKpNDzQN7uQqZ-mnLRwwm1uByOLoV4T7nzn~Z78y-y5m9tL7Lw-LcTjyEGDHfYfI8U~ejCx0AhzJgZX4kN~9IbYs5D1Du0WI-KDSLhXtxjtCxhtoFgxuOuMV6owi4tdtBPpWCKdVnT3xAN5hhCtEJrTUGHsV1MY1JaZV7eebDpu46D2JNKHZyjlnd~nCT6FWD-x4onj4iZp91RQZQtu3x2Qnkdq5tFuS3zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fate City Charter Commission presented a package of recommended amendments at the Jan. 27 council meeting. The council reviewed each item individually and instructed staff on language for ballot preparation and minor technical corrections.

Key approved changes and council directions: - Non‑substantive corrections: council authorized staff to correct typographical and grammatical errors in sections 3.07, 5.04 and 5.07 by ordinance. - Charter Commission membership: the council approved a change setting the commission minimum at seven voting Fayette residents and limiting councilmember participation to no more than two non‑voting elected officials (councilmembers) on the commission; council later approved an additional limitation that no more than three of the voting members may be current members of other appointed boards/commissions. - Forfeiture/attendance language: council approved adding a forfeiture ground for absence (missing 25% of regular council meetings in the prior 12 months) but refined the wording so that an absence must be “excused by a majority vote of the remaining council members” before removal—providing an internal review step. - Other items: council removed a clause that allowed council to make stylistic (modern usage) revisions and directed staff to bring back a non‑substantive ordinance with typographical corrections.

Why it matters: Several changes affect process and composition of the charter commission (which will produce recommendations to be placed before voters). The attendance/forfeiture language had the most legal sensitivity: council members questioned enforceability and the potential for litigation, and the council adopted language intended to create an internal procedural safeguard (majority excusal) before a vacancy is declared for absenteeism.

Next steps: City staff will draft ordinances for the non‑substantive edits and prepare precise ballot language for the Charter amendments the council approved; those measures will appear on a future election ballot per state deadlines.

Ending: The council’s step‑by‑step consideration kept changes limited and procedural in scope; several items (grammar fixes and membership rules) will be finalized for ballot language and clerical ordinance action.","The Fate City Council reviewed an eight‑item package from the Charter Commission, approved non‑substantive corrections and several recommended text changes (including Commission membership and vacancy procedures) and directed staff to prepare ballot language for the items the council approved.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070351,"Council requires new residential utility accounts be in property owners’ names; aims to reduce bad debt",1101,8737000,9838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53&start=8737&end=9838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53/thumbnail_8737000.jpg","/articles/6070351/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-requires-new-residential-utility-accounts-be-in-property-owners-names-aims-to-reduce-bad-debt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070351-30a9f6b8184be377dc01486d10006b94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201662&Signature=lBPPoNP4GzZ8cqHfLqw-x1LFiQspYPDnh4ustk~WI7ny9CHyQ3AgCul2SrEOBnN0AZ4az7Dv1zV1BwRxzKS4laUeVn5UHO1blOZ7pW4gN6lYoD-WmkO7JWb8J4~zGgpfkVL75kqatQS28qDoW07NWVJDQLb15bzg2N7iTsS2PoVxCPD6iHDSeJrWBzIhVe-38zavQ-asMpg9Y8nFvawWytZ4Apx0tKLbnfis2Navu19o-royktRGE9zQnM6W~GieBszcKb9dhG6gUJTzMRpTgVlhn9qX6cDK44yQXKenZefKqdGil924U0oxH6bzCCNA6nmBkIJcyUyab2kYA90hrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fate City Council voted Jan. 27 to require that new residential utility accounts be opened in the property owner’s name rather than the tenant’s name. The ordinance, effective for new accounts beginning May 1, 2025, follows staff analysis showing that single‑family rental accounts were disproportionately likely to go to collections or generate disconnect work orders.

Why staff proposed the change: Utility billing staff presented data showing rental single‑family accounts are 5.6 times more likely to be sent to collections and 3.1 times more likely to generate a disconnect work order than owner‑occupied accounts. City staff also showed comparative results from another Texas city that enacted a similar rule in 2019: that city reported an approximate 80% reduction in collection cases and a 60% reduction in shut‑off work orders after the owner‑name requirement.

How it will be implemented: The council approved applying the requirement only to new accounts (so existing tenant accounts remain in the tenant’s name until turnover). Staff said they will mail and email affected property owners, publish FAQs on a dedicated webpage, and use existing rental‑license records to identify owners. If someone attempts to open an account and cannot prove ownership, the city will treat the property as a rental and require owner verification.

Tenant protections and concerns: Council members and staff discussed the rare scenario in which a tenant pays rent but the owner has not paid the utility bill; billing staff said policies and notice periods exist and that staff will prepare a written procedure for handling owner/tenant disputes before the effective date.

Vote and next steps: The ordinance passed (recorded vote: 6 in favor, 1 opposed). Staff will implement outreach and return to council with the written disconnection/tenant‑owner handling procedure before May 1, 2025.","Citing higher collection rates and cut‑off incidence among single‑family rental accounts, council approved an ordinance requiring new residential utility accounts be opened in property owners’ names; the rule applies to new accounts after May 1, 2025.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070356,"Council asks staff to narrow proposed temporary‑sign ordinance after public concerns about speech and small‑business impacts",462,4864000,5326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53&start=4864&end=5326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3051323-5da8352ac00db1713c4d723d1ab91f53/thumbnail_4864000.jpg","/articles/6070356/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-asks-staff-to-narrow-proposed-temporarysign-ordinance-after-public-concerns-about-speech-and-smallbusiness-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070356-245b5ae9b7f922bc62b05f9714802d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201662&Signature=X1wYjin8W8GMoIik2ON65aTU6lhxCwB3S8DOdJUXk6WvzroL2LF3NFGWT6uew6pmW7hiqviPTlazdT2ciPd~w7dWWSKlirEHNmfpIoYzXkG3l1uOBtBEdWBP7NtoDhZGHUBSXVlY6BZDWZuGOshJ11wP5aN-g0QRileywrOAK8VNP5J2spcNUY9IEnypA6zg0oQ1E4IgXhcE90NuXPKo~lJEK8rqIZmwpDk9zIhU5GJ51FiRWSWRu7pEkuAX2Zsq056zAQElasI1VpwLJxOs-UYPGuN8QV1slUzKSo-CPtNmdGUO2VCFGKvF9yUBkrWOxwUs~2wYhVUsCTE~dSEXYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council opened public comment and reviewed a staff‑proposed amendment to Article 8 (signage) that would limit placement of temporary signs near sidewalks and intersections. Staff said the change responds to complaints about large electioneering signs visually blocking driveways and sightlines at City Hall. The draft amendment would require temporary signs taller than 24 inches to be set back from sidewalks and intersections, and would require all temporary signs to clear a minimum setback.

City planning staff emphasized the change was time‑, place‑and‑manner regulation and not content‑based. Several residents and businessowners urged caution, arguing the language could restrict small business advertising (temporary 4×4 signs, balloons, A‑frame sidewalk signs) and could raise First Amendment concerns. Councilmembers raised identical constitutional and practical concerns over applying a single rule citywide — especially downtown and in Old Town, where sidewalk advertising is common.

Council direction: rather than adopt the citywide amendment as presented, council asked staff to return with a targeted draft focused on the larger signs that actually obstruct sightlines at intersections and crosswalks, and a clearer set of exceptions for downtown sidewalk signs and small yard/stomp signs. Staff said they would prepare a revised UDO amendment and (if council requests) run it by the Planning & Zoning Commission before adoption.

Ending: No ordinance was adopted at the Jan. 27 meeting; staff will bring a narrowed proposal back for council consideration.","A city‑initiated amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance signage rules prompted questions about free‑speech limits and small‑business impacts; council directed staff to return with a narrower, public‑safety focused draft.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":116,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":117,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070361,"Council denies Stodge Hill future land‑use amendment and rejects related rezoning after heated public comment","/articles/6070361/Fate/Rockwall-County/Texas/Council-denies-Stodge-Hill-future-landuse-amendment-and-rejects-related-rezoning-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070361-207cef85dbe130b10c7a1248e3608a13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201662&Signature=KKCGPPtZhhD9eL0rE5~eqX3KBXCVLcNEKRONquj31Vlb4mw824C-EROwPkkwQ~UaiV6YXgmttjhFyLEYj9Y0SKLDS-f4NmtyISFIUsDOyXjtNhiU86HQBzSFWLWqVHXho6t78epUwg6OS8DcBmfydFiCS6TdfRsaFm7W9CFF0-Z58ZzXJMIDIxiy2L5VQ2EiXNFld9UEktRa3WHFRyI7oEBh2-T38c4AAdDb4tKP0kGr3KnLkl~j0TA9rEwwVDVY2eOz0cxCR8w54gCbk8Kf2WYxAO3tN3RdSLCoJheLGDFo2wBYn0q7WC8h1IBdyYyT-tjOmMGWhzcsU3iAXyz4gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fate City Council voted Jan. 27 to deny both a change to the future land‑use plan and a companion rezoning that would have allowed a 54‑acre Montterra/ Stodge Hill parcel to be developed as a single‑family subdivision.

The application sought to change the parcel’s Future Land Use designation from “Business and Innovation Center” to “Suburban Neighborhood” (case FLUP24‑001) and to allow a Planned Development (ZR24‑010) for a roughly 190‑lot single‑family project called Stodge Hill 54. Planning staff and the applicant presented the plan and development regulations, and the council heard public testimony from more than a dozen residents of the adjacent Monterra neighborhood and others.

Why it mattered: City staff said the site was originally entitled for industrial use in 2021 but that market conditions had prevented industrial development; the applicant argued residential use better matches surrounding neighborhoods and would provide higher private‑to‑public fiscal ratios than industrial entitlements. Residents and some council members countered that the change would break the comprehensive‑plan development pattern for the FM‑3549 corridor, raise traffic and drainage concerns, and risk setting a precedent along Stodge Hill Road.

Key facts presented: the site comprises about 54 acres east of FM‑3549, the PD packet proposed lot sizes roughly 60–70 feet wide with minimum dwelling sizes (applicant increased the minimums during review), and staff models showed the project could support roughly 190 homes though the PD capped density at 4 units per gross acre (≈216 maximum theoretical). Staff reported strong written support (27 of 28 written responses in support of the FLUP within the city’s notice area), but the Planning & Zoning Commission had earlier recommended denial.

Council action: A motion to adopt the FLUP amendment failed 4–3 (the motion did not reach a majority). Separately, council later voted to deny the rezoning request by a 5–2 margin. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended denial of both the FLUP and the zoning (the commission cited preference for larger lots, concerns about precedent and public streets vs. private streets, and uncertainty about future commercial opportunities).

What residents said: Multiple Monterra residents told council they opposed industrial use and instead supported controlled single‑family development — but other speakers, and several council members, said the proposed suburban change itself was problematic because it could encourage similar rezonings down the corridor and increase long‑term infrastructure costs.

Next steps: With the FLUP and zoning denied, the pending entitlement stands as industrial; the applicant may revise the plan and reapply. Planning staff will close the case record and notify interested parties of the outcome.

Ending: The council’s split votes illustrate the tension between market realities, developer plans and the comprehensive‑plan pattern the city adopted in 2021.","After staff and developer presentations and more than a dozen public commenters, the Fate City Council voted down the proposed future land‑use plan amendment for a 54‑acre tract and later denied the companion planned‑development rezoning request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fate City Council votes on land-use, utilities and charter items; several measures pass, key zoning change fails

Council advances Charter Commission recommendations to ballot, adopts procedural edits and membership rules

Council requires new residential utility accounts be in property owners’ names; aims to reduce bad debt

Council asks staff to narrow proposed temporary‑sign ordinance after public concerns about speech and small‑business impacts

Council denies Stodge Hill future land‑use amendment and rejects related rezoning after heated public comment