Nacogdoches council approves resolution to apply for state resilient-communities grant to update comprehensive plan

The Nacogdoches City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 14-05-12-25 authorizing the city to apply for a Resilient Communities Program grant from the Texas General Land Office to fund an updated comprehensive plan.

Mike New, executive director of development and infrastructure, told the council the city has already secured $100,000 to facilitate a hazard mitigation plan update and that the RCP opportunity could provide additional funds to support a comprehensive-plan update. "If we apply, we'll still be considered based on our criteria," New said, adding the city could qualify for "up to $250,000 for the comp plan." He said the plan must be forward-looking, integrate with the hazard mitigation plan and include a population study, housing study, land-use plan, zoning ordinance updates and an infrastructure capital-improvement plan.

A councilmember who spoke in favor said similar funds were offered in 2021 and the city chose to proceed with in-house spending at that time; the speaker urged broad council engagement throughout the planning process. "I'm very grateful that you all are pursuing these dollars," the councilmember said. New said the city intends to hire a third-party consultant to facilitate the work and that existing data from prior consultants, including DTJ Design Group and the Goodman Corporation, would be reused where helpful.

Councilmembers asked staff when the city would be notified if awarded. New said he did not have a firm award-notification date and would check with the General Land Office, noting that some post-award administrative steps are commonly required. "We've got some positive feedback, so we're gonna move forward with the application," he said.

Council discussion also touched on the types of land uses the new comp plan should consider. An unnamed councilmember asked specifically whether the plan would address battery storage, solar farms, well drilling and data centers. New said comprehensive plans examine land-use categories and can consider emerging technologies and future uses. Another speaker warned of caution and additional due diligence for large corporate proposals, describing some operations as potential "Trojan horses" and noting that some have been flagged by federal authorities.

Unidentified Speaker 2 made the motion to approve Resolution 14-05-12-25; Unidentified Speaker 5 seconded. The presiding officer called the vote and the motion carried unanimously. New said staff will return to council with next steps if the city receives an award and will keep the council engaged throughout the process.

The meeting also included routine openings, approval of the consent agenda and an announced executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071; no action was taken after that executive session and the meeting adjourned.