The Week of April 19th - 23rd, 2021 in the City of Waxahachie

Hello Friends,

Let me start by providing the draft minutes of recent various board meetings.  You can view them here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvoN-StXQJT_AMjklfV2L_dASKcMomnm/view?usp=sharing  

 

Also, early voting starts on Monday, April 19th for the local elections (City Council and School Board) along with a bond for WISD and the CD 6 election.  Early voting locations can be viewed here:  http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/13872/Early-Voting-Vote-Center-Locations-May-1-2021?bidId=  We normally have only about 12% of the population who vote in these local elections. This election's ballot is so small that it will hardly take any time at all to vote.  You can find a sample ballot for your precinct here: http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/702/Individual-Sample-Ballots  Local elections affect your everyday life, so please take the time to get out and vote.

 

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Monday, April 19, 2021

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6:00 PM - City Council Briefing Session

Council Conference Room, City Hall

Agenda: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/118757/4-19-21_City_Council_Briefing_Agenda.pdf

This briefing is being held to discuss items for the 7:00 PM regular meeting.  Residents are welcome to attend to hear the discussion.  This briefing session is not live-streamed at this time.

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7:00 PM - Waxahachie City Council Regular Meeting

Council Chamber, City Hall

 

Agenda Packet: https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/118758/4-19-21_City_Council_Agenda_Packet.pdf

 

There are going to be multiple items on the Council's Monday night agenda, but the only other one I'm going to mention, besides Emory Lakes is item 5i - the approval for funding the Wags-A-Hachie Dog Park redevelopment.  The funds for this project are coming from sales tax revenue, not property taxes, and will greatly enhance the dog park, including a parking lot.  This is a pretty exciting project and will make the dog park an even better place to visit.  The address of the park is 701 Howard Rd, Waxahachie, TX 75165

 

The main event, so to speak, of the evening will be Emory Lakes. Items 12-16 deal with the proposed zoning of Emory Lakes and the PID (public improvement district) that will be created, if the zoning is approved. For those who aren't aware, Emory Lakes is a 2800+ acre development to the West of I-35 and South of FM 875.  Here's a story about it in 2019 in the Waxahachie Daily Light:  https://www.waxahachietx.com/news/20190215/proposed-10000-home-development-sent-back-to-drawing-board-after-joint-workshop

The status of the development is this: Planning & Zoning approved the proposed zoning with stipulations.  Now, at this Monday night meeting, it will be heard by the City Council and IF the City Council approves it, then the developer still needs to meet all the stipulations, but then they can start on the development.  Being on the City Council is a great way to help folks.  I love that I get to do that.  Decisions like Emory Lakes, however, are NOT taken lightly.  I'm going to run through my list of pros and cons and how I view the situation.

Pros (reasons for approving Emory Lakes)

    1- Emory Lakes was already approved for zoning back in 2005.  A developer can, by right, come in right now and build a higher density subdivision and wouldn't have to even come before Council to do it. In other words, approving this proposal would LOWER the amount of homes that can be built in the subdivision, resulting in a nicer project and less density.

    2 - There is a PID that is being requested that will pay to put in ALL of the necessary city infrastructure for the entire subdivision and it won't cost current taxpayers a penny.

    3 - As I respect and try to protect the property rights of residents, the developers who own the land for Emory Lakes, do have a right to develop that land, especially with the stipulations put in place by the city.

    4 - The developer has agreed to all the stipulations requested by the city and the P&Z commissioners.

    5 - Once there are a few phases done in the subdivision, new retail will be opened, which will probably have a new grocery store (something requested by many Waxahachie residents)

    6 - Additional tax revenue from the homes could potentially lower the tax burden on existing residents 

    7 - They are donating land for school and civic uses.

    8 - Once retail is developed, it is possible that it could ease congestion on 77, with residents shopping in Emory Lakes instead of along 77.

Cons (reasons for denying Emory Lakes)

    1 - Traffic: I believe that traffic into downtown Waxahachie and traffic at 287 & 77 will be worse until the retail component of Emory Lakes is developed.

    2 - There will need to be WISD schools built in the development.  While the additional homes will add to WISD's tax base, I don't think it will be enough to cover the cost of all necessary schools by itself.

    3 - There will need to be additional city services for Emory Lakes such as a possible upgrade to the city's wastewater treatment plant to add capacity and additional first responders to cover that area.

That's what I've come up with so far.  I'm not sure if my reasons for denying the zoning are even legally reasons that I could deny it.  I'm not saying that I'm voting for or against it.  I would still love feedback from you, the residents.  I know that change is hard and if approved, it will change the face of Waxahachie, but not the heart of those who live here.

The Council meeting will be live-streamed at the following link starting at 7:00 PM Monday evening: http://www.waxahachie.com/government/city_council/city_council_meeting_live_stream.php  This is also an open meeting, meaning that residents are more than welcome to attend and even speak on this item, during the public hearing on item 12.

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Wednesday, April 21, 2021

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5:30 PM - Comprehensive Plan Committee First Meeting

Council Conference Room, City Hall

 

Agenda:  https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/document-uploads-001/uploads/video/agenda_file/118753/4-21-21_CC_and_PZ_Comp_Plan_Committee_Agenda.pdf

Being the first meeting of this committee, it will start by being called to order by the Mayor, introducing the committee members and organizing the committee.  The composition of the committee is made up of the 5 City Council members, the 7 Planning & Zoning Commission members, and 5 appointees from Council.

4 - Discussion of roles and responsibilities of Comprehensive Plan Committee

This meeting will not be live-streamed, but residents are welcome to attend.  There won't be any public comments during this meeting, however.  

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That's all of the city meetings for the week that have been posted as of Sunday, 4/18.  You can always check back on the city's website to see if any more have been added. http://www.waxahachie.com/calendar.php  Please feel free to contact me regarding Emory Lakes or any other item.  The fastest way to reach me is through text.  My personal cell number is 817-507-5162.  If you call and reach my voicemail, please leave a detailed message so I can get back with you.

I hope that you have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Your Friendly Councilmember,

Melissa Olson, CMO

(text) 817-507-5162

molson@waxahachie.com