Midlothian council approves zoning change, engineering contract, water-deal amendment, public-safety purchases and land buys

The Midlothian City Council approved a series of ordinances, contracts and property purchases at its May 20 meeting, including a zoning amendment for Plan Development (PD) 157, preliminary engineering work for the Taman Water Treatment Plant, an amendment to a wholesale water development agreement, purchases and budget amendments related to police weapons, a small budget appropriation for a parking-lot design, a roof-pitch exception for a single-family house, and three property acquisitions needed for the McAlpin Road project.

Why it matters: Together these votes advance infrastructure and development projects across Midlothian — from neighborhood subdivision design to water-treatment capacity planning and public-safety equipment — and they commit city funds or contractual commitments that will shape near-term construction and service delivery.

Most significant actions

- Zoning amendment: The council voted 4–0 to approve amendments to Plan Development District 157 (Hayes Road area) that reconfigure lot sizes and allow up to 157 lots with modified setbacks and architectural standards. The motion included a condition reducing the allowable percentage of front‑facing garages to 65% (mover: Mayor Pro Tem Whitcliffe; second: Councilman Rogers). The applicant, represented by Terry Weaver, said the change responds to the city’s current comprehensive plan and includes preserved open space and a concrete trail connection…