Waco council approves multiple zoning changes, contracts and ordinances; residents press for sidewalk fixes

The Waco City Council approved a package of land-use actions, contracts and ordinances Tuesday evening and heard neighborhood testimony pressing the city for sidewalk and curb‑ramp repairs in North Waco.

Key council actions included approvals of special permits and rezonings, adoption of multiple ordinances on second readings and a contract award for street reconstruction. The council continued one public hearing (Robinson Drive land-use/zoning) to its Oct. 7 meeting to allow staff to gather additional police data and to give the applicant time to meet with neighbors.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (resolutions F‑1 through F‑65 except F‑26 pulled; F‑11 deferred; F‑54 filed with affidavit of substantial interest). Roll call recorded yes votes from Lozano, Porter Root, Fairfield, Ewing, Chase and Holmes. - Public hearing G‑1 (special permit for contractor shop, 901 E. Johnson St.): approved; plan commission had recommended a 1‑year special permit with screening and sidewalk conditions. Applicant asked whether a 5‑year permit could match a tenant’s 5‑year lease; staff and council said the typical recommendation is a 1‑year permit and renewals are possible after the initial year. Roll call: yes votes recorded from Lozano, Porter Root, Fairfield, Ewing, Chase and Holmes. - Public hearing G‑2 (house museum renewal, 3300 Austin Ave): approved for a two‑year renewal after neighborhood association input. Roll call: unanimous among those present. - Public hearing G‑3 (rezoning to PUD, 602 James Ave — proposed multi‑family housing): approved concept zoning and conditions; plan commission recommended approval and nine conditions (site standards, platting, water/wastewater capacity study, traffic study, security plans, 10‑foot pedestrian way with minimum 8‑foot sidewalk, street trees and lighting, encroachment agreements for structural protrusions). Applicant (Parallel Company) and Baylor University were noted participants in crafting conditions. Roll call: unanimous among those present. - Public hearing G‑4 (rezoning, 1229 Daughtry Ave to R‑3C): approved. Council noted the rezoning aligns with the comprehensive plan and Waco’s strategic housing goals. Roll call: unanimous among those present. - Public hearing G‑5 (land‑use and rezoning, Robinson Drive to C‑2): continued to Oct. 7 at council request so staff can provide police data and the applicant can consult neighbors. - Resolution F‑54 (contract for Ernesto Fraga Street reconstruction with Dura Group, Inc.): approved; contract amount not to exceed $191,000.83. Council member disclosed an affidavit of substantial interest as noted on the agenda; the item passed after a motion and second. - Ordinance H‑1 (first reading amendments to City code: fire positions): passed on first reading; changes increase fire lieutenant positions and net increase of three firefighters. - Ordinance H‑2 (amend Chapter 4 alcohol code to remove a city license requirement): passed on second reading; the city said state (TABC) and health‑district approvals remain in force. - Ordinance H‑3 (adopting negotiated settlement with Atmos Energy regarding 2025 rate review): adopted on second reading; council recorded that the negotiated settlement reduced a proposed systemwide increase from about $245,000,000 to roughly $205,000,000, a difference the mayor described as a $40,000,000 savings compared with the original filing. - Ordinance H‑4 (updated service plan for Waco Tourism Public Improvement District FY2025‑26): passed on second reading.

Public comments and neighborhood concerns Residents and neighborhood organizations raised pedestrian‑safety and accessibility issues in North Waco. Margine Clements, president of the North Waco Neighborhood Association, said broken and missing sidewalks—particularly near Maple and N. 20th—force assisted‑living residents into traffic. Hayward Sawyer, a local business owner, described helping a 90‑year‑old resident in a wheelchair across a dangerous intersection and said police have responded to pedestrian incidents in the area.

Community organizer Sarai Muniz Morales of Grassroots Community Development cited national pedestrian safety statistics for older adults and urged improvements to curb ramps and sidewalks near senior housing. The council asked staff to gather police incident data for the area; during the Robinson Drive zoning discussion council agreed to continue that public hearing to Oct. 7 to allow more neighborhood engagement and to obtain PD data.

Other testimony included a request from Carl Giles about water‑billing fees and the city’s tag system; staff committed to follow up with him after the meeting.

What the council said Planning staff and applicants repeatedly emphasized plan‑commission recommendations and conditions. For the contractor‑shop special permit, Director Clint Peters and staff recommended the one‑year permit used historically for uses of that nature, with renewals available following the initial year to assess compatibility with the neighborhood.

For the Baylor‑area PUD (602 James Ave), staff noted the PUD concept entitles the applicant to density pending final PUD application materials, including required traffic and utility studies.

Next steps and follow up - G‑5 (Robinson Drive) was continued to Oct. 7 so staff can deliver police data and the applicant and neighbors can meet. - Staff committed to follow up with residents who spoke during the hearing of visitors, including providing police data if available and contacting speakers who requested follow‑up.

The meeting adjourned after the council recessed into and returned from executive session; the public business session ended at 8:18 p.m.