BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL APPROVES PARKLET MANUAL – WITH CHANGES

  

The Brenham City Council approved a manual that covers the rules and regulations for parklets in downtown Brenham at its meeting today (Thursday), with a few adjustments.

Councilmembers voted 5-1 in favor of adopting the manual after proposing revisions to some sections from what was brought to the council by the Main Street Board.

One of the changes approved requires that parklet sponsors have a food or beverage handler license for light food preparation.  Previously, the manual said parklets can only be sponsored by businesses that primarily sell food or beverages.

Councilmember Clint Kolby voted against approving the manual and cited this restriction as one of two reasons why, saying he did not agree with limiting parklets to only food and drink establishments.  He also said he was not in favor of removing parking.

Another revision approved by the council takes out wording that required final parklet plans to be stamped by an architect, engineer or landscape architect prior to a building permit being issued.  Upon the issuance of a permit, a parklet must be completed within six months.

In addition, the initial round of parklet applications will open up to 60 days instead of 30.  The application period will still open on July 1^st, but will now extend through August 30^th.

The council also clarified that only one parklet will be allowed per street block.  A stated restriction on amplified sound was removed from the manual because it is already covered by the city’s sound ordinance.

Other Main Street Board recommendations, such as a limit of six parklets in the downtown area, making sure parklets take no more than two parallel parking spaces and three angled spaces, and no restrictions on the type of dinnerware allowed, were all approved.  The council also agreed with a recommendation that ensured shade structures will not block the view of downtown buildings or make a parklet less temporary in nature, as well as a stipulation to not allow Main Street grant funding to be used, holding that money for permanent improvements with long-term impact.

Also at today’s meeting, the council:

• Held a workshop to discuss noise and zoning ordinances.
• Renewed the city’s group health plan with TML Health Benefits Pool and established funding rates for the plan year beginning October 1^st through September 30, 2023.
• Approved 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.
• Approved 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 contract is for a five-year term through August 31, 2026, and comes out to an annual cost of $26,400.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.