Helotes — The City Council voted to accept a petition for annexation Dec. 12 that would bring a commercial project into city limits and, likely, be accompanied later by a development agreement.

Staff explained acceptance of the petition is not a final annexation vote; council's action allows the applicant to proceed with formal annexation paperwork and subsequent review. Councilmembers said the project aligns broadly with the city master plan for commercial uses in the area and noted the trade-offs for the developer between Helotes oversight and Bexar County permitting if annexation were not granted.

Council asked staff to ensure future development-agreement details (permitted business types, variances, restrictions and potential variances) are brought back for full council review before any final annexation vote. The council approved accepting the petition by majority vote.