Granbury council approves airport fuel farm, multiple zoning changes and parking updates

Granbury City Council on June 3 approved a package of ordinances, contracts and development agreements that included a $1.11 million construction contract to expand Jet A fuel storage at Granbury Regional Airport, zoning and comprehensive-plan changes for parcels along U.S. Highway 377 and Loop 560, a local historic-landmark designation for a 1908 residence at 523 Peach Street, amendments to the city's zoning definitions to cover electric vehicle charging and expansions to no-parking zones on Stockton Street and Harbor Lakes Drive.

The council met at 6 p.m. at Granbury City Hall and voted unanimously (6-0) on the items listed below. Much of the meeting involved staff presentations and applicant explanations; public comment was limited to individual items and the general comment period.

The most consequential single contract approved was for the airport fuel farm expansion. Cody (Aviation Director) told the council the project "consists of the installation of two 15,000-gallon Jet A tanks and all associated plumbing and pumping equipment, as well as an integrated circle drive to accommodate fuel tanker deliveries." The council awarded the construction contract to Granbury Excavating Inc. for $1,111,934.07 and a construction-administration contract to KSA Engineering, Inc. for $124,931. Funding for the project will combine a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant with the airport's non-primary entitlement grant program; the grants carry established federal match rates as described in the presentation. The council also adopted an ordinance to amend the airport fund operating budget for fiscal year 2024-25 to reflect the awards.

On land-use matters, the council approved two related ordinances (25-29 and 25-30) to change a 3.37-acre tract at 4172 E. U.S. Highway 377 from an interim-holding district to light commercial/planned development and to amend the future-land-use map from low-density residential to retail office. Kara Walley (city staff, planning) described the PD standards and the applicant's proposal for 11 warehouse-showroom storefronts in a phased development with landscaping that would screen parking from Peck Road. Tony Callaway, representing the applicant, said the team had negotiated a moratorium waiver and sought a reduced frontage setback because of right-of-way improvements; he told council the reduction "allows us to develop the property in a reasonable way." Both ordnances passed 6-0.

Council also approved a residential rezoning to Planned Development R7 (ordinance 25-31) for property at 1001 Loop 560 North, a request from developer Mike Collins and Bloomfield Homes to permit smaller setbacks and additional housing models. Supporters said the change will allow different home models and three-car garages on the same lot layout; the motion passed 6-0.

On historic preservation, council adopted ordinance 25-28 designating the Keith Brock home at 523 Peach Street a local historic landmark. Planning staff said the house was built in 1908, has local limestone "peanut" masonry and interior features that meet the historic criteria; Walley told council, "Based on the criteria and review conducted, the residence is worthy of designation." The designation carries street-facing exterior review requirements consistent with the city's Historic Conservation Overlay; interior alterations were not restricted.

The council approved a replat and right-of-way abandonment (ordinance 25-32) to consolidate multiple unimproved rights of way and lots into one 5.6867-acre lot at 912 West Bridge Street. Paul Ward, the surveyor of record, confirmed the lots had never been developed and said there were no known buried utilities across the rights of way. Bronwyn Jimenez, an applicant representative, said the consolidated lot will allow construction on a long-held family parcel.

The council also amended Section 12.3(a) of the zoning ordinance (ordinance 25-33) to add electric charging to the city's definition of "convenience store with fuel pumps," clarifying that electric vehicle charging can be a primary use where allowed and that installations would follow applicable fuel and electrical codes. Walley described the amendment as a proactive step to recognize electric vehicle infrastructure; she also noted staff interest in applying for grant-funded chargers at city-owned parking.

Public-works items included two no-parking ordinance changes. Danny Dwight, a resident who lives off Stockton Street, spoke in support of extending a no-parking zone on Stockton where an island constricts lanes during square events and blocks emergency access. Paul Gast (assistant public works director) explained the ordinance would extend the no-parking zone along Stockton Street by specified distances on the east and west sides and would correct a historic street-name omission by replacing "Plaza Drive" with Harbor Lakes Drive in the code. The council approved both ordinances (25-35 and 25-36) 6-0; Gast said the changes will be marked with paint and signs.

After a closed session, the council returned to open session and unanimously authorized the city manager to execute several development agreements (Lancaster Trust; Colette Veil or assigns; Project Frontier) and to ratify and finalize airport commercial leases and related development agreements with Granbury Hangars LLC and Beachfork Agriculture LLC. Each authorization was moved and approved without recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance (motions passed 6-0 unless noted): - Ordinance 25-34: Award construction contract (Bid 24-25-08) for Granbury Regional Airport fuel farm expansion to Granbury Excavating Inc., $1,111,934.07; award construction administration contract to KSA Engineering, Inc., $124,931; and amend airport fund budget (approved). Funding: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant + airport entitlement grants. - Ordinance 25-29: Adopt comprehensive-plan amendment for 4172 E. U.S. Highway 377 (low-density residential to retail office) (approved). - Ordinance 25-30: Change zoning 4172 E. U.S. Highway 377 from Interim Holding to Planned Development (Light Commercial) / Light Commercial (approved). - Ordinance 25-31: Change zoning at 1001 Loop 560 North from R7 (Residential-7000) to Planned Development R7 (approved). - Ordinance 25-28: Designate Keith Brock home, 523 Peach Street, as a local historic landmark (approved). - Ordinance 25-32: Abandon unimproved portions of Live Oak, North Scribe and North Lancaster Streets and replat Lot 1R, Block 4 of the Scribe Addition (912 W. Bridge St.) (approved). - Ordinance 25-33: Amend Section 12.3(a) zoning definitions to add electric vehicle charging to the "convenience store with fuel pumps" definition (approved). - Ordinance 25-35: Amend section 12.04.032 to extend the no-parking zone on Stockton Street (approved). - Ordinance 25-36: Repeal/replace section 12.04.043 to change no-parking street name from Plaza Drive to Harbor Lakes Drive (approved). - Motions to authorize the city manager to execute development agreements with Lancaster Trust, Colette Veil (or assigns), and Project Frontier (each authorized). - Ratification: City manager's execution of airport commercial land leases with Granbury Hangars LLC and Beachfork Agriculture LLC (ratified); authorization to execute related development agreements (authorized).

Why it matters: The airport fuel farm expands refueling capacity for turbine/Jet A aircraft and was charged to be funded primarily by federal airport grants with city matching funds, a step officials said will keep Granbury competitive for general-aviation traffic. The zoning and PD approvals will allow commercial inventory and housing product diversification on key corridors, while the historic designation preserves an early-20th-century residence. Changes to the zoning definition for fuel pumps prepare the city for electric vehicle infrastructure, and the no-parking adjustments respond to neighborhood safety concerns.

Council adjourned after ratifying several closed-session agreements; staff will implement the ordinances and contracts and return to council or follow city code for any required subsequent approvals.