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Balcones Heights EDC hears community development update; staff reports Crest View completion and Hillrest Road design progress
Summary
Community Development Director Nick Ibarke updated the EDC on recent certificate-of-occupancy filings, a demolished commercial lot at 110 North Crossroads, Crest View Phase 3 completion, Hillrest Road reconstruction reaching 90% design, EPA brownfields assessment work, and that residential rental inspections are about 40% complete; board members raised maintenance and safety concerns for vacant properties.
Community Development Director Nick Ibarke told the Balcones Heights Economic Development Corporation that the city has several recent certificate-of-occupancy filings and ongoing capital projects, and he highlighted both commercial vacancies and progress on infrastructure work.
"We have about two or three months worth to catch up on for certificate occupancies," Nick said, listing a range of tenants (many not sales-tax-generating) and noting that a daycare on Hillrest Drive had completed a sales-and-use tax certificate. He reported that the former Charcoal Grill site at 110 North Crossroads has been demolished and is currently vacant.
The board learned that Crest View Phase 3 construction is complete and inspections by TDLR have closed the project; Hillrest Road reconstruction is in late design and right-of-way acquisition, with utility designs under review and construction expected to begin later in the process. Nick also noted the city’s EPA brownfields assessment grant activity and that the quarterly grant report and quality management plan have been submitted.
On rental inspections, staff said residential rental property inspection work is about 40% complete for initial inspections; staff cautioned that completion does not imply full compliance rates were measured yet. Board members pressed staff on property maintenance after residents reported overgrown trees and missing storm-water covers, citing a safety hazard near 205 North Crossroads and other vacant lots. Staff said they had contacted most property owners and updated the city property listing on the website.
Several board members asked about demolition-permit status for a former car wash and whether property owners would follow through with required post-demolition work; staff said some owners had not yet applied for permits and recommended follow-up contact. Staff also reported that the business park occupancy is near full, with two vacancies across the park and interior suite vacancies noted.
The board asked staff to continue outreach to property owners and to provide a short synopsis of contacts and property-owner responses for the board’s reference.
