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Votes at a glance: Waco council approves permits, ordinances and appointments on Nov. 18
Summary
The Waco City Council on Nov. 18 approved a set of routine and policy items including MCAD board vote authorization, special permits for a transitional shelter and an Enterprise rental facility, a student‑housing PUD, multiple annexation first readings, and initial readings of two ordinances (Arts & Culture Commission, traveling animals).
WACO, Texas — At its Nov. 18 meeting the Waco City Council approved a series of motions and ordinances covering appointments, special permits, a student‑housing Planned Unit Development (PUD), and several land‑use and code changes. Most items passed with minimal debate; two annexations drew extended public comment and were covered separately.
Key outcomes (votes recorded at the Nov. 18 meeting):
- MCAD board votes: Council authorized the City of Waco to cast 544 votes each for Jim Smith and Jim Patton in the McLennan County Appraisal District board election; the city secretary was instructed to submit the official ballot to the chief appraiser before Dec. 15, 2025.
- Consent agenda: Approved as presented.
- My Brother's Keepers: Council approved renewal of a special permit for the transitional shelter at 1217 Mary Avenue; plan commission recommended a five‑year extension.
- Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car (3325 S. Jack Culchin Expy): Council approved a special permit to relocate an Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car facility and add Enterprise Truck Rental to the site; applicant said the current facility operates about 300 vehicles and requires more space.
- Student housing (602 James Avenue): Council approved the final PUD for a student housing project, with four conditions including submission of full building plans, compliance with city development standards, an on‑site area for visitor/deliveries, and a minimum of 478 on‑site parking spaces.
- Annexations and zoning: First readings for the voluntary annexation and accompanying PUD zoning for Westlake Village (approx. 567.56 acres) and a separate annexation for Speegleville/Edgewood (approx. 212.37 acres) were approved. (Resident concerns and developer responses are covered in a separate story.)
- Rezoning (3301 N. Highway 6): Approved land‑use change and rezone to mixed‑use flex / C2 community commercial for ~16.24 acres.
- Arts & Culture Commission (ordinance 20‑25‑854): Council approved an amended ordinance on first reading to establish an Arts and Culture Commission, clarifying that the full council will appoint members and that appointees meet public‑art criteria.
- Traveling animals act (ordinance 20‑25‑855): Council approved first reading of an amendment to animal protection provisions creating standards for traveling animal acts; council discussed ensuring language does not impede rodeos or equine events.
- Alley abandonment (near 1115 Prose Street): Council approved the ordinance on second reading abandoning approximately 0.049 acre of alley and authorized quitclaim deeds as described in the plan commission findings.
Next steps: Items passed on first reading will return for subsequent readings or for detailed plat and permitting review as required. The MCAD ballot must be submitted by Dec. 15, 2025.
Vote counts and formal actions recorded at the meeting are summarized in council minutes and the actions array accompanying this report.
