Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Belton council approves zoning items, utilities updates, annexation, incentives and infrastructure moves
Summary
Council approved the consent agenda, multiple zoning applications, utilities code updates, an annexation of right-of-way, bike-lane parking restrictions, a craft-brewers resolution and an economic development agreement; most votes were unanimous.
Belton City Council on Sept. 24 approved a series of zoning, code and economic items during a regular meeting at the Harris Community Center.
What passed: The consent agenda (items 4–8) passed unanimously and included minutes, a nomination of Hugh Shine to the Bell County Appraisal District Board, purchase of three portable buildings from Belton ISD, an interlocal agreement with Bell County using $1,181,000 from the TIRZ for acquisition of about 3.8 acres for county facilities, and approval of a façade easement grant application for 210 E. Central Ave.
Zoning and land use items approved included a planned-development retail zoning for parcels on North Main Street to allow two fast-food restaurants (Panda Express and McDonald’s), and a retail center rezoning at 35 S. Loop 121. Council approved a request for a 70-foot pole sign with electronic copy at 1901 S. IH-35 Service Road after discussion about visibility and design standards; the transcript records a 5–1 tally on that item. The council also set and approved an annexation adoption date for about 2.305 acres of right-of-way on Old Golf Course Road and later voted to annex that right-of-way.
Other actions: Council adopted housekeeping and substantive amendments to the city’s utilities code (Chapter 23) to align with the new rate structure, clarified billing cycles, added disconnection reasons including failure to pay, and updated leak-adjustment procedures. The council also adopted a no-on-street-parking designation to accommodate a six-foot bike lane on East Thirteenth Avenue, and approved a resolution joining the Texas Craft Brewers Guild’s Brew City program to promote craft beer tourism.
Economic incentive: Council authorized a Chapter 380 economic development agreement with Bearden Investments for a proposed two-building development of roughly 66,000 square feet and agreed to waive up to $25,000 in permit and associated fees to support the project. Staff said the project anticipates about 30 new jobs and set internal targets of a building permit by end of 2025 and certificate of occupancy by end of 2026.
Meeting close: Staff also presented sunset reviews on sidewalks and short-term rental regulations (STRs) and recommended a consultant to help identify unregistered STRs and improve tax collection. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
