BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL VOTES 5-2 IN FAVOR OF REZONING FOR PREMIER METAL BUYERS

  

A rezoning request for a local business looking to expand was approved today (Thursday) by the Brenham City Council after an hour of discussion and a divided vote.

The request from Brannon Industrial Group/Premier Metal Buyers was passed on a 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Shannan Canales and Adonna Saunders voting against.  The rezoning allows the company to use a 3.77-acre portion of 6.9 acres at 1150 Dixie Road for extra storage, fleet parking and vehicle/machine circulation.

Over a dozen citizens attended the meeting and several spoke against allowing the rezoning, given the company’s existing proximity to residential neighborhoods.  They expressed various concerns about noise and late hours of operation, odor, oil contamination, and increased traffic congestion on Dixie Road. The issues were also brought up in six phone calls and seven written responses submitted to the city before the council meeting.

One resident, Laurie Chilelli, said she was worried about residents’ quality of life decreasing and that, if this zoning request was approved, the company may feel less urgency to pursue its plans to move to another location in Brenham.

Brannon Industrial Group President Blake Brannon assured that the company’s ultimate plan is to relocate across town, but it purchased this property in the first place because it cannot get to the new site fast enough.  He said it is trying to be as accommodating to neighboring homes as possible while continuing to be able to grow. 

Brenham | Washington County Economic Development Director Susan Cates said Brannon has been working on plans to expand behind Blue Bell Creameries for three years, but they have been on hold due to BNSF pausing rail expansions because of material shortages and supply chain issues that are out of his control. 

Councilmember Clint Kolby said he was in favor of the rezoning considering the property’s previous uses and that this is only a partial rezoning, with some of the land staying zoned for use as a business office and not for other operations.  He added that the city’s plans later this year to work further on a noise ordinance, as well as PMG’s intent to add an 8-foot metal screen wall, are compromises that should help alleviate concerns.

Councilmember Atwood Kenjura said this is a tough decision and that the residents who spoke all have valid points, but Brannon does not have the needed space to run his business without this extra acreage.  He also anticipates the city will now likely address Dixie Road as a greater priority.

Canales and Saunders told KWHI they voted no after receiving a lot of feedback from citizens about the issue.  They both said residents in the area bought their homes thinking this space would stay residential and not be rezoned to allow industrial expansion.  They also were worried about what industrial businesses would be allowed to come into the space once PMB moves to a new location.

In the only other action item on the agenda, the council approved a specific use permit request from Chris and Deanna Marek to allow an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in an R-2 Mixed Residential Use zoning district.  The unit will be located on a 0.386-acre lot at 604 South Baylor Street, and will be intended for use to accommodate guests and as a short-term rental.

The approval is based on previous recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, setting conditions the tract of land be replatted from two lots into one residential lot, and that a proposed off-street parking area and driveway be made with either asphalt or pavement.