Ace Hometown Hardware plans Brookshire store; council approves notice for reinvestment-zone hearing

Brookshire — Representatives for a proposed Ace Hometown Hardware store briefed the City Council on store orientation and drainage plans Thursday, and the council approved a notice to hold a public hearing on a proposed reinvestment-zone commercial tax abatement for the project under Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code.

At the start of the business item, a presenter said the store entrance will face Seventh Street rather than South Street to avoid traffic conflicts on the narrower roadway and that engineers are pursuing an underground detention system to address stormwater drainage. The presenter said he had discussed drainage plans with the local water district and engineers.

Later in the meeting the council approved a motion to publish notice for a public hearing on designating a reinvestment zone and considering a commercial/industrial tax abatement for Ace Hometown Hardware. Council recorded the vote as voice approval with “Aye” and the motion passed.

The reinvestment-zone notice is a procedural step that allows the city to hold a public hearing and consider whether to offer a tax abatement under Texas Tax Code Chapter 312. The council did not vote on an abatement agreement for Ace Hardware at this meeting; it only authorized a notice for a future hearing.

Council members asked about traffic flow and drainage; the presenter confirmed the intended orientation toward Seventh Street and described plans for an underground detention system to handle runoff. The minutes do not contain engineering reports, a fiscal impact analysis, or a draft abatement agreement.

The meeting packet listed a separate presentation from Gilmarto Properties; that party did not attend. No public testimony linked to the Ace Hardware item was recorded at the time the notice motion passed.

The council has scheduled future steps to include public notice and a hearing where residents and stakeholders may comment on any proposed tax abatement terms. City staff will provide the formal reinvestment-zone designation paperwork and abatement draft when the item returns to the council.