Council approves land donation, downtown grant application steps and zoning measures; calls May 2 elections

The Commerce City Council on Jan. 20 approved a package of routine and policy actions, including a land donation, steps toward a downtown revitalization grant application, election scheduling and two zoning items.

Council voted to accept a donation of roughly 5 acres at 2900 Sterling Park Drive from the Hunt Regional Hospital District. City Manager Happy Lisenby said the donated site is the former hospital property and includes an unused radio tower and a small metal operations building; the hospital CEO, Mr. Bowles, authorized negotiation of the gift and city attorneys prepared an agreement and general warranty deed. The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to complete final details.

The council also authorized staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for grant administration services and a request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering services to pursue a Texas Department of Agriculture downtown revitalization grant. City staff said the grant can be up to $1,000,000 and that a 5 percent match ($50,000) would be used to maximize scoring. Eligible projects the staff identified for the grant include a Farmers Market pavilion and downtown restrooms; the RFP/RFQ step is required by the state before application.

On elections, staff presented and council adopted an ordinance calling the May 2, 2026 uniform election to fill Place 1 and Place 3 (three-year terms) and a special election for mayor for the remainder of a two-year unexpired term. City staff provided filing dates (opened Jan. 13; closes Feb. 13), early-voting windows, and a possible runoff date of June 13 if necessary.

On land use matters, the council approved a conditional use permit on second reading to allow a bar/lounge at 1205 Main Street (Property ID 54143). Staff told the council the requested use continues prior, permitted activity at that location and recommended approval. Council also approved a rezoning request to convert two parcels (Property IDs 38600 and 38601) from industrial to a Planned Development District after a public hearing in which developer Shajal Bashir described plans for a mixed-use development aligned with the city's growth plans.

All motions recorded in the meeting were adopted on voice votes as shown in the transcript; specific roll-call tallies and named votes were not recorded in the public transcript excerpt provided.

The meeting recessed into executive session under the Texas Government Code near 06:47 for matters not discussed in open session.