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Business owners and residents press city on trees, parking and trash at downtown meeting
Summary
During the MEDC downtown meeting, business owners questioned tree removals that reduce shade, asked for precise parking and vendor logistics, and sought solutions for trash and service access; staff cited private-property edges, TxDOT crosswalk limits and possible grant or design support.
A succession of downtown business owners and residents raised concerns about tree removal, vendor and holiday parking, trash access and crosswalk safety at a public meeting on the Montgomery downtown improvements project.
"While it might really look good, it's gonna take all the shade that's available on the west side of the building," one business owner said after viewing a diagram that showed trees and shrubs near storefronts. Staff replied that roughly six inches of some planting is in the public right-of-way while most plantings sit on private property, and that planters or protected design elements could be pursued. "If we put planters there, we don't... most of that other than about 6 inches is your private property," a staff member said.
Residents pressed for specifics about parking and vendor access for events such as the cookie walk; staff said the project aims to add about 38 downtown spaces, add parking connected to the new City Hall and install wayfinding signs to route visitors to public lots. Attendees asked whether the gym or municipal project parking would be available during December events; staff said those lots will be public when the municipal complex parking is completed.
Businesses also raised trash and service-access questions, noting narrow alleys and limited space for dumpsters. Staff acknowledged limited public right-of-way and said businesses will likely need individualized solutions, from screening to fencing, and that the city could provide design input though it cannot compel private owners to change dumpster locations.
On pedestrian safety, staff said they have engaged TxDOT on areas where state right-of-way applies and that TxDOT will not support a new, uncontrolled crosswalk at Caroline and 149; some existing TxDOT-approved crosswalks will be repainted as part of the work.
The city encouraged continuing dialogue, noted other local grant sources may be available for backside building improvements and reiterated that MEDC's business grant is for for-profit entities only. Staff invited affected business owners to follow up with MEDC staff and the project team as design details and contractor scheduling are finalized.
