By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, March 27. 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 287 987 474 175 and Passcode gZw5cS. You can also call 469-480-7460 and enter Conference Number 168 564 318#.
6:04 p.m.
The meeting has started. The council took no action after its executive session. Pastor Ben Hailey gave the invocation.
Mayor John Nichols and Councilman Bob Yancy are absent.
6:11 p.m.
American Red Cross Month
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Smith presented a proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month. Since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross over 140 years ago, generation after generation has stepped up to deliver relief and care across the country and around the world, bringing out the best of humanity in times of crisis.
6:16 p.m.
Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day
Mayor Pro Tem Smith presented a proclamation recognizing April 5 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Day. Understanding the symptoms of the neurological condition and increasing awareness will hopefully encourage citizens to seek medical guidance and may improve the quality of life of those who are diagnosed with the progressive, incurable disease.
6:23 p.m.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Mayor Pro Tem Smith presented a proclamation recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Those with developmental disabilities have unique skills and perspectives but also face significant challenges. It is essential to raise awareness about the disability experience and to understand how each person can lead the life they choose.
6:29 p.m.
Comptrollers’ Transparency Trailblazer Award
Mayor Pro Tem Smith recognized the City’s Fiscal Services Department for earning the Texas Comptrollers’ Transparency Trailblazer Award for a steadfast commitment to the highest standards of transparency, openness, and accountability. College Station is one of 11 local governments that have earned all six Transparency Stars to achieve Trailblazer status.
6:44 p.m.
Hear Visitors
Four people spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the council on any item not on the posted agenda.
- Shelby Behm and Eddie Damanafshan spoke about the lack of commercial development in Midtown.
- Jay Meador spoke about ways for the city to partner with local groups to increase affordable housing.
- Tre Watson spoke about racial profiling in traffic stops.
6:53 p.m.
Consent Agenda
The council unanimously approved these consent agenda items:
- An all-way stop at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Etonbury Avenue due to neighborhood safety concerns. The change takes effect in 10 days.
- A $376,400 contract with Freese and Nichols to design the Well No. 6 Rehabilitation Project.
- A $114,000 contract with Bleyl Engineering to design the Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive Utility Relocation Project.
The council voted separately on this consent item:
The council voted 4-0-1 to approve a $50,000 hotel occupancy tax grant to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for the 2025 Texas 4-H Roundup Conference in June. Councilman David White abstained.
7:39 p.m.
Pool Inspections
The council directed staff to bring back a proposed ordinance to establish a pool inspection program administered by the Brazos County Health District. The program would authorize the Health District to inspect, review plans, and charge fees and penalties for pools or spas that are not residential or managed by the City.
7:40 p.m.
Legislative Engagement
The council discussed the City’s engagement activities with the Texas Legislature.
8:21 p.m.
Barracks II High Occupancy Overlays
After a public hearing, the council approved three requests for Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay zonings for properties on Knox Drive, Baby Bear Drive, and Deacon Drive West in The Barracks II Subdivision. The changes allow the existing townhomes to function as shared housing. They are required to go through the site-planning process to ensure the developments meet the shared housing requirements.
- The council voted 4-1-1 to change the zoning from Planned Development District to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, and 110-119 Knox Drive, southwest of Knox and Old Wellborn Road. Councilman David White voted against the motion and Mayor Nichols abstained.
- The council voted 4-1-1 to change the zoning from Planned Development District to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay for 418, 420, 422, 424, and 426 Baby Bear Drive, northeast of Baby Bear Drive and Towers Parkway. Councilman David White voted against the motion and Mayor Nichols abstained.
- The council voted 4-1-1 to change the zoning from Planned Development District to Middle Housing/High Occupancy Overlay at 133, 135, 137, 139, and 141 Deacon Drive West, northeast of Deacon and General Parkway. Councilman David White voted against the motion and Mayor Nichols abstained.
The Council also directed staff to look into a city-initiated rezoning for the Barracks II area.
8:25 p.m.
Right-of-Way Abandonment
After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to abandon a 0.46-acre portion of a 70-foot-wide right-of-way in The Business Center at College Station to allow development.
9:39 p.m.
Impact Fees
The council discussed system-wide water, wastewater, and roadway impact fees, which are one-time charges or assessments on new development to generate revenue for funding or recovering the cost of capital improvements needed by the development. College Station adopted the fees in 2016.
Three people spoke in the comment period, one on behalf of a group of five.
9:47 p.m.
Mayor 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, April 10.
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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