By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Welcome to our live blog from the College Station City Council meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9. 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#.
AGENDA CHANGE: The proposed rezoning of about 238 undeveloped acres east of Greens Prairie Road and W.S. Phillips Parkway (item 9.3 on the agenda) has been postponed to allow the developer to meet with area residents to address concerns.
6:14 p.m.
The meeting has started. The Council took no action after its executive session.
6:23 p.m.
Bonfire Day
Mayor John Nichols proclaimed Thursday as “Bonfire Day” to recognize the Aggie Bonfire volunteers who contributed to rescue efforts during the tragic Kerrville area floods in early July.
Bonfire deployed 123 volunteers with chainsaws, arborists, EMTs, search dogs, and other equipment. The group cleared 23 miles of terrain and provided a model for how student volunteers can contribute to disaster response efforts.
6:28 p.m.
CS Noon Lions Club
Mayor John Nichols issued a proclamation celebrating the 75th anniversary of the College Station Noon Lions Club.
Since its founding in 1950, the organization has embodied the principles of service, fellowship, and philanthropy, engaging in countless initiatives to improve the lives of those in need in our community.
6:37 p.m.
Hear Visitors
One person spoke during Hear Visitors, when citizens may address the Council on any item not on the posted agenda. The Langford Senior Living Community’s Stacey Nehring, speaking on behalf of a group of six, spoke about making Carroll Fancher Way a city street.
7:05 p.m.
Consent Agenda
These consent items were pulled for discussion:
Cooling CS Tree Planting: The $192,259 contract with Green Teams is for planting 484 30-gallon trees and install corresponding irrigation systems across 11 City parks and properties. The City’s contingency of $19,226 brings the total appropriation to $211,515. The trees will be purchased for $101,320.00 from SiteOne Landscape Supply.
The project is part of the Cooling College Station Urban Heat Mitigation Initiative. This phase of implementation originated from City Council direction during the FY 25 budget process. Green Team’s scope of work encompasses all labor, materials, equipment, and services for the tree planting and irrigation installation. The $375,230 project budget is included in the Parks and Recreation Department’s operating budget.
Rock Prairie Management District No. 2: This item is a resolution consenting to Rock Prairie Management District No. 2 for the sale and issuance of unlimited tax road bonds, series 2025, not to exceed $2.75 million. The issuance of the bonds has no financial impact to the City. Repayment is by residents and businesses located in Rock Prairie Management District No. 2.
The Council created Rock Prairie Management District No. 2 in 2015 and approved a utility and road agreement authorizing the District to issue, sell, and deliver bonds as deemed necessary and appropriate by the District’s Board of Directors. The City Council must approve the District’s bond orders.
Bond proceeds will be used to finance roads, refunding, water, sanitary sewer, and drainage facilities in the District. All infrastructure is designed and constructed in accordance with the City and County standards, rules, and regulations. Upon completion, the District will convey the road facilities to the City for operation and maintenance.
The Council unanimously approved the entire consent agenda:
- An interlocal agreement with the City of Bryan, operating through Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU), to share the costs of the City of College Station’s portion of an electric transmission line reconductor from Greens Prairie Substation to an endpoint in the College Station service area, estimated at $900,542.
- Contract awards not to exceed $500,000 for electric underground distribution construction to Sterling Global Industries ($300,000) and H&B Construction ($200,000).
- An ordinance amending Section 2-95 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Audit Committee.
- A $192,259 contract with Green Teams for tree planting and irrigation installation services, plus the City’s contingency of $19,226, for an appropriation of $211,515; and the purchase of 484 trees for $101,320.00 from SiteOne Landscape Supply for the Cooling College Station Urban Heat Mitigation Initiative.
- Granted consent to Rock Prairie Management District No. 2 to sell and issue unlimited tax road bonds, series 2025, not to exceed $2.75 million.
9:17 p.m.
Southern Roots Baseball Proposal
The Council directed staff to further explore a proposal from Southern Roots regarding a potential 80-acre, nine-field, all-turf baseball complex – including a championship field – in the Midtown Business Park. A decision will need to be made within 30 days regarding the City’s existing plan to expand baseball facilities at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
The Veterans Park project has an estimated cost of $30-$35 million and would add three additional baseball fields, including a championship field intended to serve as the home of the Brazos Valley Bombers.
The total cost of the proposed Southern Roots project is estimated to be between $55-60 million, including the City’s phased capital participation of $15–$20 million. The facility is envisioned as a national-caliber sports tourism destination that also addresses a critical need for youth baseball fields. For the project to move forward, the organization is also requesting the donation or lease of 80 acres of City-owned property in Midtown, with an option to purchase or lease an additional 20 acres for future expansion.
The City and Southern Roots have been discussing a site near Millican for over a year, but its location outside the City’s jurisdiction introduced risks that were difficult to mitigate. The Southern Roots proposal reflects a strategic shift to a site inside the City limits, offering improved infrastructure, visibility, alignment with broader development goals, and reduced risk. The complex could attract significant visitors for tournaments, activating the Midtown district and supporting nearby businesses.
The proposed Southern Roots complex would include:
- Nine all-turf fields, including a 3,800-seat stadium that could support a summer league or professional team.
- Field access for local leagues and City programs.
- On-site training facilities, such as batting cages, pitching tunnels, and a weight room.
- Potential hospitality and recreation amenities, including on-site lodging, outdoor gathering spaces, and dining options.
The proposal also includes the possibility of an academic baseball academy in the future that could further enhance the City’s profile and create additional educational and economic opportunities.
With the recent opposition to a proposed data center at the location and broader community concerns regarding certain industrial uses in the Midtown Business Park, the Southern Roots project presents an opportunity to introduce a use that aligns more closely with recent public sentiment.
The complex could attract significant numbers of visitors to the area during tournament play, potentially activating the Midtown district and supporting surrounding businesses.
The project would use a large portion of the Midtown Business Park, which is zoned and marketed to support future business and primary job-generating uses. The proposed draft site plan would preserve a significant amount of frontage along Midtown Drive, allowing for future complementary development that could further benefit the community.
9:17 p.m.
The council is taking a short break.
11:09 p.m.
Midtown Planning Charrettes
The Council directed staff to conduct several land plan charrettes, workshop-style public engagement efforts, to address specific issues and areas in Midtown.
12:24 a.m.
Policies and Procedures
The Council directed staff to bring back policies and procedures related to the City’s real estate transactions, economic development incentives, development agreements, and non-disclosure agreements to promote transparency and greater public engagement.
Possible Options:
- Require a non-decision workshop session before finalizing any property transaction or economic development incentive, providing an opportunity for public discussion and feedback.
- Arrange public engagement gatherings (Meet the Project) for significant development or redevelopment initiatives to encourage community participation.
- Create a standardized template for non-disclosure agreements and/or require Council consent for non-disclosure agreements related to development projects.
- Require Council consent for both the language and scoring criteria utilized in bid/proposal requests.
- Council to take formal action in an open session after any executive session where direction is given on a specific item.
- Update or modify guidelines for economic development incentives to ensure they align with current objectives.
General Existing Process:
- An item or request is submitted to the Council for direction.
- Based on that direction, the staff engages in negotiations.
- The Council receives updates on the progress of negotiations and provides additional direction, if necessary.
- After a preliminary agreement is established, the item is added to the Council agenda for presentation, discussion, and possible action.
12:27 a.m.
Welsh Avenue Easement
After a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to abandon part of a public utility easement on CSISD property at 1812 Welsh Avenue to allow the construction of an entrance for the football field. The easement was originally dedicated to a water line, which is being relocated to the north.
12:32 a.m.
Parkland Use Change/Sewer Lines
After a public hearing, the Council voted unanimously to approve a change of use of Memorial Cemetery property for sanitary sewer lines to serve properties in College Station, but within the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) service area for the City of Bryan sanitary sewer system. The change is not expected to have negative impacts on the park or its operations.
A commercial site may be developed on unplatted property at the southern corner of the intersection of Harvey Mitchell Parkway South and F&B Road (3735 F&B). The tract must be platted under the requirements of the City of College Station’s Unified Development Ordinance, including ensuring adequate sanitary sewer access to the new lots. The tract is in College Station, but as a part of a larger agreement with the City of Bryan, it was transferred to the City of Bryan’s CCN service area for sanitary sewer.
The agreement, area topography, and existing infrastructure led to the proposed extension of about 671 feet along the northwestern edge of the City-owned Memorial Cemetery. The establishment of sewer lines at the location is necessary for the long-term goal of taking College Station’s Valley Park Lift Station offline and sending sewer flow into the new City of Bryan sewer line section under a 2024 interlocal agreement.
City of Bryan sanitary sewer easements and temporary construction easements have already been granted, and the change in use of the parkland property is needed to move forward with the construction of the sewer lines. The extension may also provide sanitary sewer access to other tracts in College Station, but within the City of Bryan’s CCN.
No other feasible alternative for the sewer lines exists, and reasonable measures have been taken to minimize potential harm to the park. The use of parkland for the sewer lines and extension is considered a use or taking of protected land in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code.
12:35 a.m.
Bradley Road Rezoning
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a request to rezone about four undeveloped acres at Yaupon Lane and Bradley Road from Rural to Estate to enhance the property’s marketability for future development.
12:41 a.m.
Summit Crossing Rezoning
After a public hearing, the Council unanimously approved a request to rezone about 4.7 vacant acres south of University Drive East and East Crest Drive from General Commercial to Multi-Family. The applicant wants to develop multi-family housing and residential density to the area.
An added condition was that a 10-foot landscape buffer with an 8-foot fence be provided along the western property line of the Multi-Family portion. The request is an expansion of a rezoning approved in August with the same condition.
The property was originally zoned Rural when annexed by the City in 1980, followed by the General Commercial rezoning in 2008. The proposed multi-family development would not be permitted in the General Commercial zoning district.
12:51 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 Oct. 23.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010, following a 23-year tenure as 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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