BURTON CITY COUNCIL SETS GUIDELINES FOR FILMING IN CITY

  

The Burton City Council has established a set of guidelines regarding commercial filming in the city.

The council agreed at its meeting Tuesday to approve an ordinance providing rules for filming. They also received a timeline for plans on attracting production companies to the city.

Susie Tommaney, with the Burton Chamber of Commerce, informed councilmembers of her work with the Texas Film Commission, which is an ambassador for towns that are willing to welcome productions. The Commission hosts a list of film-friendly cities in Texas for companies to choose from.

The Commission awards grants to companies that film in Texas as opposed to other states, and awards more if those companies film outside major hubs like Austin and Houston.

Tommaney said these productions can range from small-scale commercials and television series, to feature films and video games.  She said she recently attended a workshop and received a “very clear roadmap” of how to entice companies to come to Burton.  She said the community is essentially selling “an inconvenience”, but if the community is willing and accepting, the results can be “like a garden that’s tended well”.

Mayor David Zajicek said this could be a “great opportunity for Burton”, and “bring in extra money for the local community”. Councilmember Jeff Eckhardt added that several small businesses could benefit from this.  He said the council could work with Tommaney on how to figure out what to expect from companies in regards to the amount of people, vehicles, and traffic.

The council also approved street repairs at the corner of Texas and Railroad Streets. Zajicek said the city has received a bid from the Washington County Road and Bridge Department for $2,200.  He said the work would consist of removing the old culvert and “fixing the road right as it should be” instead of patching it up.

The council also approved:

• A list of requirements and application for residents to submit prior to requesting a variance to the mobile home ordinance.  A copy of the application can be seen here.
• An ordinance variance to allow Charles Harmel (property owner) and Kelsey Harmel/Tanner Demuth (home owner) to place a new mobile home at 1601 FM 1697.
• A resolution adopting the Washington County Hazard Mitigation Plan.