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Council postpones downtown grease-trap ordinance to study enforceability and business impacts
Summary
Council delayed action on a proposed amendment to the city's grease-trap code after members raised concerns about feasibility for small downtown businesses, enforcement history, and needed variance language; staff was directed to research other historic downtowns and draft clearer language.
Van Alstyne — The City Council on June 9 voted to postpone consideration of a proposed ordinance amending sewer/grease-trap requirements (division 2, grease traps) to allow staff time to research comparable approaches used in other historic downtowns and refine implementation language.
Tristan, the staff presenter, explained the proposal would change installation and maintenance requirements for grease traps and described capacity concepts discussed in workshops (the 750-gallon figure and how trap capacity is measured). Several council members and downtown business advocates urged caution, saying small downtown properties and older buildings may lack the physical space for large in-ground grease traps and that enforcement of existing rules has been uneven.
Councilmembers asked staff to research whether other historic downtowns use sidewalk or curb-installed grease interceptor solutions, how the ordinance should treat nonprofits, schools and daycares, and to draft clear variance procedures so that small, low-food-volume downtown enterprises are not excluded. One council member also asked for cost data and an enforcement plan.
Councilman Neil moved to postpone action pending further research; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Staff was asked to return with recommended language for variances and clearer applicability rules.
