BURTON CITY COUNCIL REJECTS SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE ON SPLIT VOTE

  

Burton City Councilmembers were divided on Tuesday against a proposed subdivision ordinance.

In a 3-2 vote, the council rejected adoption of the ordinance, which would have provided rules and regulations governing the subdivision of land and plats within the city. 

Councilmembers Jeff Eckhardt, Paul McLaughlin and Tommie Gilmon voted against the ordinance, with Nathan Kalkhake and Macey Tidwell voting in favor.

The vote followed a public hearing with comments from three citizens.  Two of those were against the ordinance, either stating a desire to table the item until the city has an updated comprehensive plan in place or saying the city should defer to county law.  The third comment asked to add a provision to the ordinance exempting previous platted lots, like the City of Brenham has.

Mayor Karen Buck said the ordinance is meant to help coordinate orderly growth in the city through proper utilization of land resources and feels this is something the city has needed for a long time. 

Councilmember Eckhardt said he does not think this ordinance is something Burton needs right now and would prefer to hold a town hall-type meeting to receive further input from residents than what is allowed during city council public comment periods.

Councilmember Paul McLaughlin said he would like to see the appointment of a planning and zoning commission, which could suggest some new ideas for the ordinance. 

Given the council’s vote on the ordinance, a follow-up item for a subdivision fee schedule was removed from the agenda.  A subsequent item, the renewal of an interlocal agreement with the county to regulate subdivision standards in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, was approved. 

In other business, the council approved:

• A franchise fee ordinance establishing terms and conditions under which utilities and like-service providers may use public right-of-way and other public property within the city.  Late last year, the council approved an updated solid waste contract that gives commercial customers the option of contracting their own services.  City Secretary Angela Harrington said the city already collects franchise fees from communications companies and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, but this will increase what the city can bring in.
• A maintenance contract with HDU Services, LLC for water and wastewater systems.
• A rental agreement with UBEO regarding the rental of a Ricoh color laser multifunction printer for $120 monthly, with maintenance and supplies included.
• A Hoffman Dozer Services contract change order, allowing for additional work to be completed on South Railroad Street, South Main Street and South Brazos Street using available 2021-22 Texas Department of Agriculture grant funds not to exceed $281,000.
• A resolution to allow encroachment upon city street right-of-way at 12400 East Texas Street.  Harrington said the resolution was previously approved by the city, but nothing was filed with the county.
• Amended budgets for Fiscal Year 2023-24 reflecting actual income and expenses for the third quarter of the 2023-24 Fiscal Year.