Belton council approves multiple commercial rezonings, denies liquor-store appeal

The Belton City Council on Feb. 25 voted to approve several zoning changes and special-use permits for commercial projects, approved a three‑year banking depository contract with options to extend, and unanimously denied an appeal seeking permission for a package store at 824 South Main Street.

The most immediate actions included approval of a specific-use permit to allow a package store at 2144 North Main Street (the former Walker Furniture site), approval of rezoning for a wholesale electrical supply warehouse at 6955 W. U.S. Highway 190, approval of a retail/office showroom site on Auction Barn Road (approximately 2 acres of an originally listed 3.37-acre parcel), and approval of commercial‑highway zoning for a standalone emergency room and medical office building at 10780 S. Interstate 35.

Why it matters: the decisions clear the way for new private investment and businesses that proponents said will bring jobs and tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about parking, buffers between commercial uses and adjacent homes, increased traffic and potential impacts on neighbors.

What the council decided and why

• Bank depository (Item 9): Finance staff reported that state law limits a depository contract to five years and that the city solicited applications from qualified institutions in city limits. Two banks responded; staff recommended Extraco Bank based on a comparative evaluation that included interest rates,…