By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26. It's not the official minutes.
The meeting starts after 6 p.m. and is streamed live on Optimum Channel 19 and cstx.gov/cstv19. You can participate online through Microsoft Teams by entering Meeting ID: 223 427 023 174 and Passcode: MvPmTr. You can also call 833-240-7855 and enter Conference: 952 310 468#.
6:09 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session.
6:17 p.m.
Arteriovenous Malformation Awareness Month
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed October Arteriovenous Malformation Awareness Month to raise public awareness of brain aneurysms and other types of vascular brain malformation. The Kaitz family established the Aneurysm Foundation in 2003 to honor family members who lived with or died from aneurysms.
Pictured below with the mayor is Rilynn Lewis, who also received a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott for her work to raise awareness about pediatric stroke and brain AVMs, the brain vessel disease affecting her brother, Kyler.
6:21 p.m.
Municipal Courts Week
Mayor Nichols proclaimed Nov. 6-10 as Municipal Courts Week to recognize local courts' essential role in the criminal justice system and the larger community. Accepting the proclamation (below) were Judge Ed Spillane and employees of the College Station Municipal Court.
6:35 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Four citizens spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item that does not appear on the posted agenda.
- Shenicka Foley praised the city's support of a Habitat for Humanity project for her family in College Station.
- Kimberly Topp, speaking on behalf of a group of seven, asked the council to consider expanding local opportunities for mountain bike enthusiasts.
- Neo Jang, speaking on behalf of a group of six, also endorsed more local mountain biking opportunities.
- Mary Linne of Bryan spoke against the Rosemary Drive sewer line route.
6:36 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:
- An interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for Gateway Monument Sign No. 3.
- The application for the Bureau of Reclamation Water Resources and Planning Office WaterSmart Drought Response Program for the Well No. 6 Capacity Rehabilitation Project.
- A license agreement with Wolf Den BCS related to a building encroachment into the public utility easement at 4138 Jeanne Drive.
- The renewal of a $216,000 contract with the Reynolds Company for water SCADA infrastructure products and services.
7:50 p.m.
Off-Campus Student Services
The council heard an update about Texas A&M's revamped Off-Campus Student Services Office and its efforts to educate off-campus students about housing and code enforcement-related issues.
Nine residents addressed the council about enforcing the city's occupancy ordinance.
8:11 p.m.
Music Friendly Advisory Committee
The council voted 6-1 to create a Texas Music Friendly Advisory Committee to support College Station’s efforts as a Texas Music Friendly City. Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha voted against the motion.
8:14 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
8:23 p.m.
The meeting has resumed.
8:26 p.m.
Dexter ROW Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to abandon 0.058 acres of right-of-way at 802 Dexter Drive South to remove it from the developed lot.
8:38 p.m.
Unlimited Potential Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request by Unlimited Potential to change the zoning from General Suburban to Planned Development District for nearly three acres at 1115 Anderson Street to help ensure compatibility with adjacent properties.
10:11 p.m.
Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlays
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve the following zoning changes. Councilwoman Linda Harvell voted against the motion:
- From Middle Housing/Multi-Family to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay or Multi-Family/High Occupancy Overlay for almost three acres along Cooner Street.
- From Duplex/Middle Housing to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 4.6 acres along Cooner Street.
- From Duplex/Middle Housing to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 5.4 acres along Live Oak Street and Ash Street.
- From Duplex/Middle Housing to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about five acres along Dominik Drive.
- From Middle Housing to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 4.7 acres along Aurora Court.
- From General Suburban/Middle Housing to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 23.6 acres in an area generally bounded by Luther Street, Montclair Avenue, Grove Street, and Maryem Street.
10:13 p.m.
Shared Housing Modifications
After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to only allow shared housing in the Middle Housing zoning district when a High Occupancy Overlay exists. Councilwoman Harvell voted against the motion.
Shared housing is also permitted in areas zoned multi-family, or Northgate District.
10:14 p.m.
MH/High Occupancy Overlay Rezonings
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve the following zoning changes. Councilwoman Harvell and Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion:
- From General Suburban to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about two acres along Lincoln Avenue.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about four acres along University Oaks Boulevard.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 6.7 acres along Pine Ridge Drive.
- From General Suburban/Duplex to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 19.3 acres along Cornell Drive, Brentwood Drive, and Southwest Parkway.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 5.8 acres along Ashford Drive.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about eight acres along Oney Hervey Drive.
- From General Suburban/Townhouse to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 28.4 acres in an area generally bounded by Paloma Ridge Drive, Feather Run, Davidson Drive, and Holleman Drive South.
- From Rural to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about nine acres in an area generally bounded by Abbate Road, Feather Run, Kenyon Drive, and Holleman Drive South.
- From Townhouse to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 13 acres in an area generally bounded by Towers Parkway, Goldilocks Lane, and Cain Road.
- From Townhouse to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 19 acres in an area generally bounded by Deacon Drive West, Towers Parkway, Oak Crest, and Holleman Drive South.
- From General Suburban/Townhouse to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 55.5 acres in an area generally bounded by Rock Prairie Road West, Towers Parkway, Deacon Drive West, and General Parkway.
10:25 p.m.
Middle Housing Rezonings
After a public hearing, the council voted 5-2 to approve the following zoning changes. Councilwoman Harvell and Councilman Yancy voted against the motion:
- From General Suburban/Townhouse to Middle Housing for about 15.5 acres in an area generally bounded by Anderson Street, Holleman Drive, and Charles Court.
- From General Suburban/Townhouse to Middle Housing for about 9.7 acres in an area generally bounded by Anderson Street, Cedar Run, and Lemon Tree Lane.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing for about seven acres along Colgate Circle and Stanford Circle.
- From Townhouse to Middle Housing for about 6.9 acres along Kalanchoe Court, Camelia Court, and Azalea Court.
- From General Suburban to Middle Housing for about 3.9 acres along Swiss Court and Chalet Court.
- From Rural/Duplex to Middle Housing for about 43.6 acres in an area generally bounded by Navarro Drive, FM 2154, Balcones Drive, and Welsh Avenue.
- From General Suburban/Single Family Residential/Duplex to Middle Housing for about 38.1 acres in an area generally bounded by Deacon Drive, FM 2154, Navarro Drive, and Welsh Avenue.
- From Duplex to Middle Housing for about 14.6 acres in an area generally bounded by Deacon Drive, Welsh Avenue, Navarro Drive, and Pedernales Drive.
Mayor Nichols recused himself from the vote on this item:
- By a 5-1 vote, the council voted to approve the rezoning from Townhouse to Middle Housing for about 7.4 acres along Nelson Lane, Thornton Court, and Camp Court. Councilwoman Harvell voted against the motion.
10:30 p.m.
Turner Street Rezoning
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for about 0.23 acres at 701-703 Turner Street. The applicant intends to establish a legal shared housing use through the site plan process.
10:44 p.m.
Mayor John Nichols adjourned the meeting after the council discussed its calendar, items of community interest, committee and board reports, and future agenda items.
The council meets again on Thursday, Nov. 9.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. He has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., Killian graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in journalism/political science.
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