PUBLIC MEETS WITH BRENHAM OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS ANNEXATION PLANS

  

Brenham residents heard some of the city’s initial plans for annexation at a town hall meeting Tuesday.

Back in May, the City of Brenham adopted a resolution authorizing City Manager James Fisher to identify tracts of land for annexation. Five areas of land were found in total, based on development and growth patterns.  Those are located to the north, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest of current city limits.

City Secretary Jeana Bellinger said the annexation process for those five areas will be broken up over the next year, with potential annexations in December, June 2020, and December 2020.

Currently, the city is considering nearly 240 acres of land for annexation. That includes 44 acres in the Southwest Industrial Park, bounded by Industrial Boulevard, FM 332, and FM 389; 6/10ths of an acre at Scenic Estates, along the west side of Old Masonic Road; and just under 195 acres on the east side of Farmers Road between FM 389 and Old Mill Creek Road, and the north side of Old Mill Creek Road between the current city limit line and Jackson Creek.

Bellinger said many people have asked if being annexed into the city will affect their property values. She said that will not be the case.

 

Bellinger said the city is required by law to offer development agreements to landowners affected by annexation. She said 13 landowners have been offered agreements, with 11 accepting the agreement.

 

Bellinger said an extension of the development agreement can be requested, which would be reviewed by the city council.

Bellinger said upon annexation, property owners would see city taxes on their October 2020 tax statements. Washington County Chief Appraiser Willy Dilworth said, for a resident paying Brenham ISD, Washington County, and Blinn College District taxes, adding the city’s tax rate would bring their total taxes to around $2.10 per $100 valuation.

Bellinger said people with specific questions can speak with Dilworth, or visit the city’s website, www.cityofbrenham.org.

City Manager James Fisher said one of the key factors for the city wanting to move forward with annexation was TxDOT’s plans for improvements to the Highway 290 Cloverleaf. He said the city is “trying to get out in front of the train” and manage the growth, and will partner with citizens as much as it can during this process.  He added that the city will be meeting with TxDOT later this month to get a better idea of where the project currently stands.

Citizens will have several more opportunities to contribute feedback, with another town hall meeting scheduled for October 29^th.

The Brenham City Council will hold a pair of public hearings on the matter on November 7^th and 14^th.  The Planning and Zoning Commissioner will review zoning for the tracts being considered on November 25^th.  Finally, the council will consider an annexation ordinance on December 5^th and 19^th.

If approved by city council, the first slate of annexation would be final on December 29^th.