[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6509495,"mediaKeyId","5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b","parentId",5423156,"title","Harlingen commission approves annexations, zoning change, fee-waiver extension and other measures","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",828000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b&start=828&end=828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b/thumbnail_828000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509495/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commission-approves-annexations-zoning-change-fee-waiver-extension-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509495-fb7626dd3cebcd5613488218f8550cf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079026&Signature=jMxkPHkNo7Ft0MnWs52j~MXJVdRkcW2FVRvP7~jFctyogXqKVNFZLPxSYccQXtoIS3Vf5SEs~0pvSw6jQ3AeVH0f5e8BvniQUjMG4HoRXNzn~t14PxaoBtHGbkDcZPVOTAdci4lIKCQ54Uh0J5YJcAEO4TwIXfBj9P0UrtVNqy73Mzz5HmnUfJgb8nbHOIwpyr~oouDgEv28F0ZE24xgwzBxWYtuZVzGFtpLb5sGRoKb51lNxPJAR6DqFfBjFHwsY5f5g8KGTUg5lQY4brvEvKVXpBFV5lTgMHJT~BpnT7pSEd2Huux~t0g5tEq4ra8E1z9SqS0zbJXYUEqnuJ~brQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Harlingen","date","2025-07-17T12:51:27.467Z","article","The City Commission of Harlingen voted on several ordinances, resolutions and administrative items during the meeting, approving multiple annexations, a rezoning, administrative code changes, and several operational authorizations. Most measures passed unanimously.

Key actions at a glance

- Rezoning to light industry (First reading approved): The commission approved on first reading a request to rezone a 479.25-acre tract along the north side of Rio Hondo Road (approximately 8,540 feet east of Loop 499) from a not-designated district to a light industry district. The motion passed unanimously on the first reading.

- Voluntary annexation: Paloma Lane (Second and final reading approved): The commission adopted an ordinance on second and final reading annexing a 10-acre tract out of Block 3, F.H. Hanley Subdivision on the east side of Paloma Lane (approximately 2,010.46 feet south of Garrett Road). The annexation binds the land to all city acts, ordinances, resolutions and regulations; the motion carried unanimously.

- Voluntary annexation: Cameron County School Lands (First reading approved): The commission approved on first reading an ordinance to annex a 126.5-acre tract out of the Cameron County School Lands (Survey 279) located near Bodamer/Bodenheimer Road and Bob Euchre Road; the motion passed on first reading unanimously.

- Plat requirements amendment (Approved on motion, contingent language): The commission approved an amendment to City of Harlingen Code of Ordinances, Chapter 109 (Subdivision), Section 109-91 (plat requirements — form and content) to add a provision on plat expiration and to move existing subsection content. Commissioners clarified that planning and zoning approved a \"one-year expiration with an administrative one-year extension\" approach; the commission approved d contingent on the language reflecting that 1-year expiration plus director discretion for a one-year extension.

- Waiver of permit fees during declared state of emergency (Ordinance approved with added 30-day extension): The commission adopted on first reading an amendment to Ordinance No. 2025-26 and Chapter 103 (Building and Building Regulations), Section 103-6 (waiver of permit fees for rehabilitation during declared state of emergency). Commissioners agreed to add an additional 30 days to staff's requested extension to provide additional time for flood-affected residents to obtain permits; the ordinance was approved unanimously.

- Municipal maintenance agreement with Texas Department of Transportation (Authorized): The commission authorized the city manager to finalize a municipal maintenance agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation tied to the Tyler and Harrison interchange and associated sections identified for city maintenance; the motion carried.

- Vehicle replacement for Environmental Health/Animal Control (Authorized): The commission authorized the environmental health director to purchase a replacement vehicle through TIPs USA to replace Unit 612 assigned to an animal control officer; the motion carried unanimously.

- Union Pacific permanent closure of C Street (Approved): The commission approved a request from Union Pacific Railroad to permanently close C Street between Adams Avenue and Jefferson Avenue as part of a rail realignment project; the motion carried unanimously.

- CDBG and HOME program one-year action plan (Approved): The commission removed a previously tabled item from the table and adopted a resolution approving the one-year action plan budget for FY 2025–2026 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program; the motion carried unanimously.

- Suspension of Texas Gas Service rate increase (Resolution approved): The commission approved a resolution to suspend the proposed effective date (08/19/2025) of Texas Gas Service's requested rate increase to allow the city time to study the request and to authorize legal counsel and consultants to intervene, with recovery of the city's rate case expenses to be sought from the company. Staff noted a caption error in an agenda item that mistakenly referenced AEP; the resolution was filed correctly for Texas Gas Service and the motion carried unanimously.

- Acceptance of ingress/access easement for Camelot Professional Plaza (Approved subject to executive session language): Following an executive session, the commission approved a resolution accepting for public use and maintenance a portion of an ingress and access easement on Lots 1 and 2 of the Camelot Professional Plaza final plat, with approval \"subject to the language discussed in executive session.\" The motion carried.

Procedure and votes

Many items recorded only a motion, a second and that the motion \"carried unanimously.\" Where the transcript did not record the name of the mover or second, the actions are recorded here as adopted with the outcome stated as in the public minutes.

Ending: The commission concluded its business after approving the listed items and stated there were no board appointments; the meeting was adjourned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting | 07-16-25 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","In a largely unanimous series of votes, the Harlingen City Commission approved a rezoning to light-industrial, two voluntary annexations, amendments to plat-expiration rules, an extension of a permit-fee waiver tied to a state of emergency, multiple administrative items and several resolutions including suspension of a gas company rate increase.","taxTitle","Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",3687,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6509500,"Commissioners direct staff to consult residents on parking options for Barton Avenue",331,1342000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b&start=1342&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","/articles/6509500/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-consult-residents-on-parking-options-for-Barton-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509500-084f877924085bf6bde83c6dcb473b2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079026&Signature=H9XRSblMgAs08vOk6w9trBuVnLHwx-b2yGT-BdVJpKA-j8qtKC8i3Osebwcgm1MhjI1BJMy6vhMWjdozH-sCjNDBZDCCMYt04ep4XlAP0LPyLV9Zgyt4~Gv3mrmhgyqbx~WF7qjdj8ALqltoE~1jsilrq2BS6jl6trhAIS0q0yw-6GZr13ZvpKe4bP-uwQbsj81SeBbcVEiNrF0jHCSvZqGlbdCBmNgvRKzwk2lLyEMC9HZcSdVmeP8rqrvqZ5x8g-F2q7K26IzMXZJ724LqKVMmlBaw6KoGSufRFcuSagdJZbPSv1QAIq6HFGogBGhyp-92IwleyhDipC9RFgb-VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning and public safety staff briefed the Harlingen City Commission on recurring complaints about on‑street parking, vehicle repairs and noise on Barton Avenue and asked commissioners how to proceed.

Soledad Núñez, a planning staff member, described the neighborhood as a mix of warehouses and older homes in a subdivision platted in 1945 with many driveways narrower than current standards: \"Some of the driveways are actually smaller than 24 feet, 18 feet. A lot of them are 12 feet,\" she said. Núñez told commissioners some properties have unpaved or dirt driveways and several homes lack standard-width off-street parking.

Why it matters: Residents reported vehicles parked that partly block the street and mechanics working on cars that extend into the travel lane. Commissioners said restrictions could create hardship if residents lack legal off-street parking and noted businesses on the south side of Barton generally have rear parking but are unlikely to allow resident use.

Discussion and staff recommendation

Núñez said staff observed a mix of commercial and residential uses and that some complaints centered on noisy vehicle testing and cars extending into the street. She recommended meeting with residents to learn their priorities before proposing restrictions. Police leadership and planning staff agreed that options such as signage, parking restrictions, or targeted enforcement should be discussed with residents first.

Action and next steps

Commissioners directed staff to convene affected residents and stakeholders to identify preferred solutions and report back with options. No ordinance or traffic-control measures were imposed at the meeting; staff will return with recommended measures after community outreach.

Ending: The commission left the item for further action pending community input and follow-up recommendations from planning and public safety staff.","City planning and public safety staff briefed commissioners on on-street parking problems on Barton Avenue; staff will meet with residents to determine preferred solutions before bringing recommendations back to the commission.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":42,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6509505,"Harlingen commissioners discuss new digital and stainless-steel signs for City Hall, Loncy Hill",491,491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b&start=0&end=491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5423156-773096af7e1e90262f688b77b7abfe1b/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6509505/Harlingen/Cameron-County/Texas/Harlingen-commissioners-discuss-new-digital-and-stainless-steel-signs-for-City-Hall-Loncy-Hill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509505-c52a09924a859cf44605c0f39f57b639/orig.mp4?Expires=1773079026&Signature=jJpl4yjh5H9v3lSvogr2OOP06d-yzFOdJ9naGEirBoiuh3NdrYe28eXR1CM5XOA-c25wkoRrfxYpeWUfnBynPZKu8lRAncfD4m~3-rDHoX50K1qjIi~tAvd5BM4IDP2tYGgBRBy6JPRKKDeT9uUfTmZJOaXM87cjhYYx4GSaiGuYwbL-9GikoZeRom4MZZkrg8iPdb048McgjxAdTxeHHDGW3yOUie0wUijrAbMrcT85zUkGSVnQGxatMyMphC4EJKHixinKF4RCi3XTNz0Nilkyl9VQHEuQRlCWEYmZNTBb9oGkAQ15a~dxO8QVsLLSKI2S366q-lsi9n3FktRriQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Harlingen staff presented plans for two new signs — a digital screen proposed for City Hall and a stainless-steel sign for the Loncy Hill Memorial building — and outlined dimensions, warranty terms, cost estimates and maintenance plans.

The presentation covered a proposed stainless-steel sign for Loncy Hill that staff described as replaceable panels set on a concrete foundation, and a larger digital screen for City Hall that staff said could be updated remotely from a phone or other device. City staff said the Loncy Hill sign would be roughly 10 feet wide by 6 feet tall and the lettering on new signs would be four inches for baseline visibility, with the option to increase letter size.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said new signage will inform the public about city services and events while the City Hall screen would provide a modern, changeable message display. Commissioners flagged legibility, vandalism and blocking of sightlines as concerns that could affect safety and usefulness.

Details and discussion

Staff described the City Hall display as a modular digital screen with replaceable tiles and a 10-year warranty on the screen and a seven-year warranty on the supporting structure. A staff member told commissioners that the City Hall unit carries a higher estimated cost and that staff had sought three quotes: \"This one right here, I believe it was, 13,000, and the one for the city hall is 25,\" staff said. The Loncy Hill sign is a stainless-steel plaque-style sign mounted on brick with a concrete foundation.

Commissioners asked that the Loncy Hill sign match the building materials and color palette of the Memorial building and requested larger lettering for readability. Staff said the current sample lettering would be four inches, but they could increase it and adjust the top and bottom gaps to allow larger type.

Commissioners and staff also discussed maintenance and security. Staff said the screen is modular so damaged tiles can be replaced and that routine cleaning (pressure washing) would be required. Staff said there is not a camera embedded in the screen but they could install a camera to monitor the sign; the city already has cameras near some entrances and staff said they would consider adding a camera on the side that faces the street.

Next steps

Staff said they will request mockups from the vendor and email those mockups to commissioners (via Gabe) before any installation. Staff also said they will ensure the curb in front of the Loncy Hill sign is painted to prevent parking that would block visibility. Commissioners did not vote on sign purchases during the discussion; staff were to return with vendor mockups and final installation and color decisions.

Ending: Staff reiterated that vendor samples and email mockups will be circulated to commissioners for review before installation, and that city maintenance and security options will be refined as part of the procurement and installation process.","City staff presented designs, dimensions, cost estimates and maintenance considerations for new signs at City Hall and the Loncy Hill (Memorial) building; commissioners asked for color/brick-matching, larger lettering, vandalism deterrents and vendor mockups before installation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harlingen commission approves annexations, zoning change, fee-waiver extension and other measures

Commissioners direct staff to consult residents on parking options for Barton Avenue

Harlingen commissioners discuss new digital and stainless-steel signs for City Hall, Loncy Hill