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Ennis commission approves multiple land‑use, infrastructure and historic preservation items
Summary
On April 21 the commission passed a set of votes including repeal of a battery storage SUP, a downtown liquor‑sales variance, a multifamily rezoning, several historic tax exemptions and reimbursements, a TxDOT turnback resolution for Innis Avenue, a grant engineering contract award, and a purchase of a spare lift‑station pump.
The Ennis City Commission approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and contracts on April 21 that covered land use, downtown development, historic preservation incentives and infrastructure purchases.
Key votes included:
- Repeal of the special‑use permit for GladPath Power Solutions’ proposed battery storage facility (approximately 7.71 acres) after staff reported permit conditions were not satisfied and plan reviews remained unresolved.
- Approval of a distance variance allowing sale of alcoholic beverages at 207 West Ennis Avenue (El Mago) despite being inside the 300‑foot downtown buffer; staff noted this is a recurring historic‑district variance and commissioners discussed enforcement options.
- Rezoning of a roughly 5.617‑acre tract on South Sonoma Trail from R10 to MF2 (up to 22 units per acre) to allow a proposed multifamily development; the commission approved the change with direction that infrastructure, sewer and water capacity must be resolved during subsequent reviews.
- Approval of 2026 historic landmark tax exemption applications (amended to include several disputed or late applications) and approval of the 2025 historic reinvestment tax abatement refunds (27 applications totaling $68,808 reimbursements for roughly $91,035 of eligible investment).
- Approval of a resolution to accept future transfer (turnback) of Innis Avenue (Kaufman to Preston) from TxDOT after completion of a Union Pacific underpass project; staff emphasized the transfer is tied to project delivery and will create long‑term maintenance responsibilities for the city.
- Authorization to award Hazard Mitigation Grant Program engineering services to Friese & Nichols, Inc., to implement generator installations at wastewater facilities funded under a prior FEMA/TDEM award.
- Purchase of a spare 1,500‑gpm pump for Liska and Sonoma/Lehi lift stations through a cooperative contract in an amount not to exceed $60,270.
Votes were taken by voice or motion on the dais; the transcript records the actions as motions carried. Several items were framed by staff as contingent on further technical approvals or infrastructure upgrades, and commissioners asked staff to report back on implementation plans and funding steps.
