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Council approves multiple zoning, permitting and funding items; several development negotiations authorized
Summary
Terrell City Council adopted ordinances and resolutions including three rezones, two special-use permits, library fee changes and acceptance of a FEMA SAFER grant. Council also authorized staff to negotiate three development agreements following executive session.
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 Terrell Fire Department; staff noted federal shutdown-related timing may delay reimbursements, but the resolution authorizes accepting the award.
After adjourning to executive session and returning to open session, the council authorized the interim city manager to negotiate development agreements with three entities: Westwood Residential Land Company for a multifamily project (Resolution No. 2267), NM10 Terrell LLC (Terra Nova development, Resolution No. 2268) and Taro Lease Housing Associates I, for a family apartments project (Resolution No. 2269). Each motion to authorize negotiation was seconded and approved by the council members present.
Votes at a glance (motions, movers/seconds, outcome): - Ordinance No. 3143 (ZC25-08) — rezoning 505 Mount Olive: Mover: Donna Renee Anderson; Second: Mayor Ronnie Velasquez; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; motion carries 3-0 among those present). - Ordinance No. 3145 (ZC25-14) — rezoning 401 FM 148 to Light Industrial: Mover: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Second: Donna Renee Anderson; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Ordinance No. 3144 (SUP25-04) — specific-use permit for Holiday Inn Express at Crossroads: Mover: Mayor Ronnie Velasquez; Second: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Ordinance No. 3146 (SUP25-06) — private party/wedding rental at 1407 Westmore Ave.: Mover: Donna Renee Anderson; Second: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Ordinance No. 3153 — library fees and nonresident card fees (Kaufman County $30; outside county $50): Mover: Mayor Ronnie Velasquez; Second: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Resolution No. 2264 — accept FEMA SAFER grant ($5,724,838.80): Mover: Mayor Ronnie Velasquez; Second: Donna Renee Anderson; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Resolution No. 2263, 2265, 2266 — notices of intent / public hearing to establish TIRZ Nos. 6, 7 and 8: motions to set public hearings for Oct. 21; all approved (motions and seconds recorded; unanimous among those present). - Resolution No. 2267 — authorize interim city manager to negotiate development agreement with Westwood Residential Land Company: Mover: Donna Renee Anderson; Second: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Resolution No. 2268 — authorize interim city manager to negotiate development agreement with NM10 Terrell LLC (Terra Nova): Mover: Stephanie Holmes Thomas; Second: Donna Renee Anderson; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present). - Resolution No. 2269 — authorize interim city manager to negotiate development agreement and MOU with Taro Lease Housing Associates I (Taro Family Apartments): Mover: Mayor Ronnie Velasquez; Second: Donna Renee Anderson; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; unanimous among those present).
Nut graf: The package of votes advances several private development projects and land-use changes, updates library fee policy tied to budget choices, and commits the city to accept a multi-million-dollar federal grant for fire staffing while initiating negotiation authority for major development agreements.
Background and supporting details: Planning staff reported Planning & Zoning recommended the rezones and SUPs by 9–0 votes prior to council. For the Mount Olive item city staff indicated the applicant intends a civic/community outreach center; the council member with a potential conflict recused from that vote and disclosed serving on the project board. For the Crossroads hotel, staff noted the plan is for an 87-room Holiday Inn Express and a 3,500-square-foot restaurant on 2.62 acres; one public response in favor had been received. For the Westmore SUP, staff told council the applicant will follow the standard SUP restrictions (for example, restricted outdoor storage and gambling) and will coordinate building, fire and parking requirements with municipal development and the fire marshal.
On the FEMA grant, staff explained FEMA notified the city on Sept. 22 that the SAFER grant was awarded; because of a federal shutdown staff warned reimbursements could be delayed until federal operations resume. Council emphasized the grant will fund additional firefighter positions and new apparatus already procured with other funding.
Ending: The council approved a consent agenda and adjourned to executive session; matters discussed in executive session produced the three negotiation-authorizing resolutions upon reconvening. The public hearing dates for the proposed TIRZ districts were scheduled for Oct. 21. Council did not vote on other site-specific policy changes during the meeting.
