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, fee waivers and financial stability. The council approved the contract authorizing the city manager to execute a three‑year agreement with two one‑year extension options.

• 2144 North Main St. — Longhorn Liquor (Item 10): Planning staff said the site, currently part of a larger retail plaza, met zoning and site requirements and that notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet; staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. Dennis Williams, representing Longhorn Liquor, described the company’s experience and said the chain has operated for roughly 13 years. The council approved the specific use permit unanimously and welcomed the business to Belton.

• 824 South Main St. — AB King LLC appeal (Item 11): Planning staff reported that Planning & Zoning recommended denial because of inadequate parking, exterior lighting and concerns about the location adjacent to residences; two letters of opposition were received from the same nearby property owner. Suneet Adikari, the applicant, said he planned to add fencing, remodel to city standards and provide security. Resident Allison Finney testified against the project, citing parking, delivery truck impacts, property value and proximity to residential uses; she asked the council to vote against the liquor store. The council voted unanimously to disapprove the appeal “with prejudice” (the council clarified that the prohibition as applied to that location would last six months), meaning the applicant cannot refile for this same location within that period.

• 6955 W. U.S. Hwy 190 — Lone Star Electric Supply (Item 12): Applicant Jean Benner said the company intends to construct a wholesale electrical supply warehouse to serve Bell County contractors. Planning staff and Planning & Zoning recommended approval; no letters of opposition were reported. The council approved the zoning change unanimously.

• 1918 Auction Barn Road — office/showroom (Item 13): Staff described a proposed office/showroom and warehouse with site landscaping and a six‑foot privacy fence required adjacent to residential lots. Planning & Zoning recommended approval; the council approved the SUP and related rezoning, noting the rezoned parcel will be roughly two acres per the site plan included in the packet.

• 10780 S. I‑35 — medical office and standalone emergency room (Item 14): Staff said the use is permitted in Commercial Highway zoning and that no letters of support or opposition were received. Planning & Zoning recommended approval; the council approved the rezoning unanimously.

Discussion and concerns

Council members and residents repeatedly raised parking and buffer concerns, particularly for the proposed package‑store locations. Planning staff advised that shared‑parking agreements within 300 feet and on‑site improvements could address parking deficits. For the AB King appeal the council specifically cited the proximity to housing and the absence of an adequate buffer as central reasons for disapproval.

Votes at a glance

• Consent items 4–8 (minutes; election‑officer appointment; TxDOT maintenance agreement amendment; final plat for Wheat Warehouse addition; TIRZ annual report) — approved unanimously. • Item 9 (designate Extraco Bank as city depository, three years with two one‑year extensions) — approved unanimously (motion carried). • Item 10 (2144 N. Main St., SUP for package store — Longhorn Liquor) — approved unanimously. • Item 11 (824 S. Main St., AB King LLC appeal for package store) — disapproved with prejudice (unanimous). Council stated the prejudice period for that location is six months. • Item 12 (6955 W. U.S. Hwy 190, rezoning to Commercial 2 for Lone Star Electric Supply) — approved unanimously. • Item 13 (1918 Auction Barn Road, rezoning portion to Retail with SUP for office/showroom, ~2 acres) — approved unanimously. • Item 14 (10780 S. I‑35, rezoning to Commercial Highway for ER/medical office) — approved unanimously.

What’s next

Approved rezonings and permits now move to implementation steps such as building‑permit reviews, plan approvals and any site improvements required by city ordinances. The council directed staff to ensure conditions such as required parking, fencing where properties abut residences, and setback compliance are enforced through the permitting process.