City of Waco

The meeting involved outlining the public hearing procedure, followed by the approval of minutes from prior work and business meetings. The main focus was on public hearings and recommendations regarding several subdivision plats and construction plans, including Quick Side Addition Phase Six, Park Meadow South Phase One, South Fork Addition Phase Ten, and Steinbeck Ben Farm Addition. Staff recommended approval for these subject to specified conditions, including a cross-access easement for one plat. Numerous special permit applications for short-term rentals (Type 2 and Type 3) and a special permit for a small lot single-family dwelling were discussed, with staff generally recommending approval subject to conditions based on established findings related to the Comprehensive Plan and compatibility with surrounding development. One request to change zoning from O3 and C3 to C4 was recommended for disapproval based on incompatibility with existing development requirements in the block, although alternate findings for approval were provided.

The session began with administrative announcements regarding public speaking procedures, including time limits and registration requirements. Key agenda items included the presentation of the 2019 Livewell Waco Healthy Worksite Recognition awards, involving 14 local businesses across Platinum and Gold levels. Proclamations were made, designating October 2019 as Chiropractic Health Month and October 15, 2019, as a Day of Remembrance for domestic violence victims. Several public hearings were conducted concerning zoning matters. This included the consideration of an ordinance for creating Reinvestment Zone Number 70 for industrial tax abatement related to a proposed major investment by Timber Us Inc., anticipating the creation of at least 49 full-time jobs. Additionally, resolutions were considered for granting special permits for short-term rentals (Type 2 in R1B zoning districts), with significant public input, including testimony both in favor and in opposition regarding neighborhood concerns such as noise, parties, and property maintenance.

The session included employee recognition for the Finance Department, which received a Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting for the 37th consecutive year, and recognition for Randy Childers upon his retirement after 32 years of service. Key discussion points involved an informal report on follow-up questions regarding low-income housing tax credit programs. Reports also covered the challenges related to construction closures affecting access to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, a decrease in reported crime in Waco for the 13th consecutive year, and hosting major events like the Texas High School Football Coaches Association convention and the training of the Chinese national rowing team for the Tokyo Olympics. Resolutions included approving an agreement for local matching funds for child care services, renewing a two-year agreement with the Waco Hispanic Museum for space use, adopting a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program Policy, and awarding a contract for the construction services for the Ritchie Road elevated storage tower project. An ordinance amending solid waste regulations had its first reading, and discussions addressed changes to a second reading ordinance regarding retail sales provisions to tighten definitions for breeder and broker.

The session began by establishing public participation guidelines, allowing three-minute presentations, or ten minutes for groups of ten or more, with provisions for translators. The council approved the minutes from the November 19, 2019 meeting without changes. The first public hearing concerned the reauthorization of the tax abatement policy for real and personal property, adopting the City of Waco guidelines for a two-year period, which was approved. The second public hearing involved an appeal against a variance previously granted by the Animal Welfare Board subcommittee to allow a resident to keep one horse until May 31, 2020, subject to several conditions including shelter, daily manure removal, and insect/water provision. The appellant argued against keeping the horse due to proximity and potential odor/flies. The party granted the variance explained the necessity for equine-assisted therapy for their five-year-old child who has cerebral palsy and is awaiting critical bone-molding surgery. The council debated modifying the variance to allow the horse only three days per week for therapy sessions, conditioned on receiving medical documentation supporting the therapy's necessity. The final motion was to uphold the subcommittee's decision with these modifications.

The meeting included the approval of the minutes from previous work and business meetings. Key discussions revolved around multiple subdivision and zoning applications. Subdivisions approved included the final plat for Steinbeck Farm Edition Lot 1 Block 1, and the preliminary plat of Park Meadows Addition, along with final plats for Foundation Addition Block One Lot 2 ETJ and Buckingham Estates Addition Part Five. Zoning applications addressed included a special permit for a Type 1 short-term rental at 721 Dickens Drive, a request to amend a special permit for a commercial funeral home at 5201 Steinbeck Bend to allow permit transferability, and a request to change the land use designation from Suburban Residential to Urban Residential and rezone from R1A to O3 zoning for property at the northeast corner of North 19th Street and Rock Creek Road to facilitate a bakery with living quarters above. All listed applications were recommended for approval by staff and subsequently approved by the Commission, with some subject to conditions.