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At-a-glance: Longview council votes to deny Atmos rate increase, approve rezones, rename road, buy property and set May 3 election
Summary
At its Jan. 9 meeting the Longview City Council approved the consent agenda and voted to deny Atmos Energy's proposed rate increase, approve two rezonings, rename a stretch of road to Bill Stout Parkway, authorize purchase of a downtown parcel and amend the budget to cover that purchase.
Longview — At its Jan. 9, 2025 meeting the Longview City Council took a series of votes on routine and notable items. The council approved the consent agenda and voted on zoning, property and election items. Key outcomes are summarized below.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: Approved. The consent agenda included a motion to deny Atmos Energy's proposed rate increase so the city can participate in the appeal before the Texas Railroad Commission. Councilmember Robert Ray explained the denial would allow the city to file to intervene at the Railroad Commission. The consent agenda was approved by voice/raised hands.
- Zoning item A (rezoning at northeast corner of McCann Road and Ruthlin Drive): Approved. Planning staff presented a request to rezone a site from PD-2302 (dance studio) to a plan development for a pharmacy with an approximately 4,000-square-foot building; staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers; council voted to approve.
- Zoning item B (rezoning south of West Loop 281, west of Estes Parkway): Approved. The city requested rezoning to resolve nonconforming single-family properties; staff said the change brings those parcels into compliance with the Unified Development Code; the public hearing had no speakers and council approved.
- Action item A (resolution renaming a portion of George Ritchie Road to Bill Stout Parkway): Approved unanimously. Councilmember Campbella (presenter) said property owners and Gregg County officials requested the change to honor Gregg County Judge Bill Stout; the resolution passed by a unanimous raise of hands.
- Action item B (ordinance authorizing purchase of real property at 205 East Methvin Street): Approved. Council voted to authorize purchase of the parcel adjacent to Heritage Plaza; the purchase was recommended to permit future enhancements and to capture ownership downtown. Council discussed potential future costs such as restrooms and site improvements; staff said no timeline or budget for those improvements is currently set.
- Action item C (budget amendment): Approved. Council amended the budget to appropriate $155,000 from reserves for the purchase of 205 East Methvin Street.
- Election ordinance: Approved. Council called a general election for May 3, 2025, to fill expired terms for specified council districts; filing opens Jan. 15 and closes Feb. 14.
Process notes and context
- Atmos rate case: Robert Ray explained Atmos had filed separate cases and that denying the city's portion will allow the city to protect its interests at the Texas Railroad Commission. Ray said the commission may make a decision in February on related outside-city matters and the city's timely denial preserves its opportunity to intervene.
- Property purchase and downtown plan: Council discussed potential amenities for the Methvin parcel including restrooms, parking and storage for events but noted no funds are currently budgeted for improvements beyond the $155,000 purchase.
Ending
Council handled this bundle of items in the Jan. 9 meeting with most votes taken by voice and raised hands. Several items were approved unanimously; staff will return with additional details or follow-up items where indicated.
