The Liberty Hill City Council on Aug. 27 appointed Tyler James to fill the unexpired term for Place 4 on the Planning and Zoning Commission and clarified the term expiration date for Place 5. After discussion and a recorded vote, the appointment carried with four votes in favor and two opposed; council later approved extending Commissioner Tim Anderson's Place 5 term through Oct. 31, 2027, by unanimous vote.
Carlin Keller, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, had submitted a written public-comment letter recommending two candidates for council consideration: Amanda Young and Tyler James. The letter praised both applicants and noted the commission's preference for continuity and expertise while acknowledging council discretion for appointments.
During the public meeting, several council members described priorities for the commission as the city undertakes a unified development code rewrite and downtown revitalization work. One councilmember said James's experience with historic properties, small downtowns and farm/ranch backgrounds would “strengthen our work,” and another councilmember said institutional knowledge is valuable but that the council needed a range of perspectives for the UDC rewrite. The council nominated and voted on candidates; the motion to appoint Tyler James to Place 4 for the unexpired term ending Oct. 31, 2026, passed (vote recorded 4–2). The council then voted 6–0 to set Tim Anderson's Place 5 term to expire Oct. 31, 2027.
Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission's recent composition and the commission chair's plan to add recurring short educational items to P&Z agendas to build institutional knowledge as the city handles growth and the code rewrite. The council noted that appointments to commissions are within council discretion and that the commission's recommendations are advisory.