BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON PARKLET MANUAL
The Brenham City Council will vote Thursday on a manual setting rules and regulations for parklets in downtown Brenham.
The decision on whether to adopt the parklet manual will come after a work session in which councilmembers will review the Main Street Board’s recommended revisions to the document from its meeting last week.
Discussion on parklets and the guidelines governing them has been ongoing for several months, with both councilmembers and board members debating over design standards and the responsibilities of parklet sponsors.
The council will consider recommendations from the Main Street Board that include only allowing parklets for businesses that primarily sell food or beverages and not restricting the type of dinnerware used.
The board’s revisions also state that shade structures should not hide or block the view of downtown buildings or make a parklet less temporary in nature. In addition, they specify that grant funding should not be used for parklets, as the board said the money should instead support permanent improvements with long-term impact.
Other recommendations comprise of a 90-day grace period for property owners to determine if a new tenant in their building wishes to sponsor an existing parklet, and requiring applicants to submit detailed concept drawings that show measurements, depth and elevation.
If approved, the first 30-day period for parklet applications is planned to open on July 1st.
Also on Thursday, the council will hold a work session to discuss noise and zoning ordinances. Deputy City Secretary Karen Stack said the goal is to clarify the noise ordinance and the methods used in noise measurements, ensure consistency with noise provisions in the zoning ordinance, and provide a process for staff-issued noise permits to eliminate the need for noise variances.
In other action, the council will consider:
- Renewal of the city’s group health plan with TML Health Benefits Pool and establishment of funding rates for the plan year beginning October 1st through September 30, 2023.
- A contract between the city and Texas General Land Office related to the Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation program infrastructure projects non-research and development mitigation funding.
- A vocational work contract between the city and Texas Health and Human Services Commission on behalf of the Brenham State Supported Living Center for document shredding and litter management services.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.