Council approves multiple zoning, permitting and funding items; several development negotiations authorized

Terrell City Council on Oct. 7 approved a package of zoning changes, specific-use permits, a library fee update and a FEMA grant award, and authorized the interim city manager to negotiate three development agreements following executive session.

The council — Mayor Ronnie Velasquez (District 3), Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Donna Renee Anderson (District 2) and Councilmember Stephanie Holmes Thomas (District 4) — voted on ordinances and resolutions during the regular meeting at City Council Chambers. The meeting recorded motions, seconds and unanimous voice votes among those present on each item.

The most significant formal actions included: a rezoning of 505 Mount Olive (Ordinance No. 3143) from Single-Family 7.5 to Neighborhood Edge to permit a proposed community outreach center; rezoning of roughly 14.514 acres at 401 FM 148 (Ordinance No. 3145) to Light Industrial for an ASCO equipment dealership; and approvals of two specific-use permits — one for a Holiday Inn Express at the Crossroads development (Ordinance No. 3144, SUP25-04) and another for a private-party/wedding rental facility at 1407 Westmore Avenue (Ordinance No. 3146, SUP25-06).

The council also adopted Ordinance No. 3153 to amend the city library fee schedule; the approved ordinance preserves free library cards for Terrell residents and sets annual nonresident card fees at $30 for Kaufman County residents and $50 for residents outside Kaufman County, per the discussion tied to the city budget.

On funding, the council approved Resolution No. 2264 accepting a FEMA SAFER grant award of $5,724,838.80 for the…