Hello Friends!
I have scanned in the draft minutes from recent city board meetings for your review. You can view them here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11bDejVYRNvehf5cBhsRoBqZ_YeoT-GoT/view?usp=sharing This file includes the draft minutes from the P&Z meeting last week which reviewed that huge new development. Spoiler alert - it wasn't approved nor denied. It was continued to the March 23, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.
Because our previous Council meeting had to be rescheduled due to the winter storm, we had a Council meeting this past week, but will also have one again this coming Monday. Meetings are always at 7:00 PM the first and third Mondays of every month at Waxahachie's City Hall - 401 S. Rogers St., Waxahachie, TX 75165.
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Monday, March 1, 2021
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6:30 PM - City Council Briefing
Council Conference Room, City Hall
The purpose of this is to conduct a briefing which discusses items for the 7:00 PM regular Council meeting. It is a great way to find out what is going on in a more informal manner than the regular meeting. The public is welcome to attend, but the briefing isn't live-streamed at this time.
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7:00 PM - City Council Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/113442/3-1-21_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf
The agenda packet contains all the information that is given to Council prior to each meeting. I generally point out some items that may be of particular interest to those in the community such as:
6 - Consider a request for a Plat of Buffalo Ridge, Phase 6 for 178 lots. The applicant is also requesting a relief waiver for a 10' utility easement instead of a 15' utility easement. The P&Z Commission and staff are recommending approval of both the plat and waiver.
7 - I list this case because it says the owner is Garden Valley Apartments, LLC; however, this is NOT for new apartments. This is paperwork that needs to be corrected on the existing Park Place Apartments, which are already built. The P&Z Commission and staff are recommending approval of the plat, but denial of the relief waiver requested to waive park land dedication fees.
8 & 9 - This case is for an SUP (specific use permit) for solar panels at 203 Shetland Court. The P&Z Commission along with staff are recommending denial on this case due to Sec. 5.01 of the City of Waxahachie Zoning Ordinance which states panels shall not be installed on rooftop elevations facing the front right-of-way. This is not a typical street but the right-of-way is in a cul-de-sac and the applicant seems to have two letters of support from their neighbors who would be the ones looking at the solar panels the most. We have ordinances which set standards for the community, but we also should respect homeowners' rights to do with their homes what they would like, within reason. People have solar panels on the front of their home because that's where they NEED to be, not where the homeowner particularly wants them to be. This case will merit some discussion at the briefing & meeting.
12 & 13 - This is for the Emory Lakes, large subdivision and as previously stated, the case will be continued (meaning we won't discuss the case at all at this meeting) to the March 23rd P&Z meeting and the April 5th Council meeting.
16 - Consider proposed Resolution approving submission of staffing for adequate fire & emergency response (SAFER) grant. This grant helps pay for a lot of the cost for 3 firefighters to add to our crew so that we have a full team ready to serve when Fire Station 4 opens up (currently scheduled to open in FY 23).
17 - Consider proposed ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 9-3 and adding Section 9-27 establishing a fee schedule for cemetery plots and related cemetery fees, and establishing columbarium niche prices and approving addition of permanent marker rule. This has been vetted through the Cemetery Board over several meetings to ensure that these are fair and reasonable numbers.
This meeting is open to the public, but will also be live-streamed at the following link: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php
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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
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3:00 PM - WCDC - Waxahachie Community Development Corporation Regular Meeting
Council Chamber, City Hall
Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/113391/3-2-21_WCDC_Agenda_Packet.pdf
This is a fairly routine meeting (with one exception) to update the board on activities at the Civic Center, CVB, Sports Complex and update on community beautification efforts. There is one item that is very important on this agenda, however.
8 - Discussion on future WCDC projects and initiatives
This meeting is open to the public should you wish to attend, but it is not live-streamed at this time.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021
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12:00 PM - Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting
Council Conference Room, City Hall
Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/113324/3-3-21_Civil_Service_Agenda_Packet.pdf
There is only one item on the agenda for action:
Waxahachie Police - canvass votes from all WPD sworn officers for an alternate promotional system as required by Texas Local Government Code Section 143.035(g)
This is an open meeting and residents are welcome to attend, however it is not live-streamed at this time.
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Those are all the meetings so far for this week. You can check back on the City's calendar to see if any new ones are added after the time of this newsletter. http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php
I hope you have a great rest of your day and a wonderful week ahead!
Your Friendly Councilmember,
Melissa Olson, CMO
molson@waxahachie.com
(text) 817-507-5162
