Stafford council approves two special-use permits, directs drainage study, expands hotel-audit and selects Stafford Center manager

Stafford City Council met Aug. 20 and approved two special-use permits for religious institutions, directed staff to pursue drainage and asphalt work and to maximize existing street-repair funds, authorized an expanded revenue audit to include hotel-occupancy tax receipts and confirmed FM Squared as the Stafford Center manager.

The decisions followed extended discussion about unfinished 2024–25 street and drainage projects, parking and accessibility at proposed religious facilities, and city revenue compliance. Councilors and staff pressed for faster follow-up on projects that were authorized months earlier and approved motions to produce regular updates and to task staff with pursuing technical studies.

City engineer Jones told the council the 2025 concrete street contract is nearly complete and described a roughly $1.093 million construction contract for that program. "The contractor is effectively through with the contract at this point," Jones said, adding the asphalt program and a $75,000 drainage study had not yet been advanced because staff had not issued purchase orders or completed interlocal arrangements with the county. The council voted to direct the city manager and public-works director to consult with Jones and to move forward with drainage analysis for Cravens, Crestmont and related areas.

In land-use matters the council approved special-use permits (SUPs) required for religious institutions at two locations. The Chungmei Temple sought an SUP to expand its footprint at 12550 Jebbia Lane; staff and Planning & Zoning recommended approval, and the council voted to…