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Council approves consent agenda and multiple rezones, including Martin House site
Summary
The Longview City Council approved the consent agenda, accepted a Motorola body camera subscription pricing change, and approved several rezonings including Z25-15 to allow the Martin House to build an office at 601 W. Avalon Ave.
The Longview City Council approved its consent agenda on Aug. 14, which included staff updates on existing contracts and the final payment for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project and a report that Motorola offered a reduced rate for the city’s body-worn camera subscription if the city extends subscription years under a DIR state contract.
The council then considered multiple zoning items. Planning staff presented Z25-15 to rezone 601 West Avalon Avenue from Multifamily 2 to Office to permit a new office building for the Martin House; Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval and Roxanne, director of the Martin House, attended the hearing. Council opened and closed the public hearing and approved the rezoning.
Council also approved several other rezones: correcting nonconforming properties near Flagstick Park to a Townhome district, rezoning a property at the southwest corner of Gilmore Road and Blaine Trail to Single Family 4 for future home construction (staff noted oil well constraints and that a layout had not yet been submitted), and changing 209 Northcutt Avenue from Office back to Single Family 5 so the property could be sold to a homeowner.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, resident Wayne Guidry raised questions about local school taxes and state policy. Guidry told council the Longview Independent School District had reduced its tax burden by 30¢ over six years and noted rising property values; he referenced Texas property law, saying, "Texas property code 23.23 places a 10% cap on all homestead properties," and argued state-level caps affect local tax dynamics.
Regarding the Martin House fundraising, a council member said the project’s total cost was about $6.2 million and that the capital campaign was roughly $1 million short. The Martin House will serve multiple counties when completed.
Next steps: Planning staff will process permits and continue to coordinate with project representatives for the Martin House and with applicants for the other rezoned properties; the Motorola subscription will be processed according to contract terms if the city chooses to extend under a DIR contract.
