Weslaco selects Raftellus team for zoning, subdivision and impact‑fee work after interviews

The Weslaco City Commission on Feb. 4 followed staff recommendations and approved the Raftellus team to perform comprehensive updates of the city’s subdivision, zoning and building ordinances and to prepare a capital improvement plan, land‑use assumptions and impact‑fee analysis.

Two firms interviewed before the commission: Able City (which presented planning and code experience from the border region) and Raftellus (a national firm with local subconsultants and communications capacity). Raftellus’ presentation described a seven‑step impact‑fee process grounded in Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395, an approach that ties land use assumptions to a 10‑year capital improvement plan and an impact‑fee schedule, and a public‑engagement emphasis including simplified, graphic materials and bilingual outreach.

Staff reported that Raftellus received the top evaluation score in the review and interview process; the commission voted to accept staff’s recommendation. Commissioners asked about community outreach and how technical concepts would be explained to nontechnical residents; Raftellus’ team said the firm emphasizes visuals, plain‑language materials, bilingual engagement and interactive workshops to build public understanding of zoning and fee concepts.

Commissioners also discussed potential scheduling conflicts with Planning and Zoning meetings and confirmed internal staff arrangements to keep the planning process coordinated. The contract will require a series of deliverables, public hearings and an advisory committee as part of the Chapter 395 impact‑fee process; staff will bring a scope and contract document for execution.