City approves 102+ acre annexation

The Navasota City Council approved the voluntary annexation request of a 102.4197-acre tract submitted by James C. Has-sell.

Hassell owns Pecan Lakes Golf Course and Pecan Lakes Estates. There have been two phases of development at Pecan Lakes Estates and the demand for housing is the reason for the request by Hassell. With the annexation of his property, Hassell can move forward with phase 3 of the Pecan Lakes Estate development.

Agreement with

Kolkhorst

Councilmen approved the Chapter 380 agreement with Kolkhorst Development Navasota LLC to provide up to $18,000 in funding for improvements to property located on East Washington Avenue. According to city manager Brad Stafford the money would be used to help pay for materials to build sidewalks like those in downtown Navasota. Stafford said the construction will be provided by Kolkhorst.

Rezoning

The first reading of the Ordinance No. 910-19 rezoning of property near the Heritage Meadows subdivision was approved. There was a public hearing before voting on the first reading.

The rezoning as initiated by the Planning and Zoning Commission changes the current zoning from A/O(Agriculture/ open space district) to M-2 (Heavy and industrial district) for the property legally described as A0046 J Moore. Tract 4-3, Acres 22.809, changing the current zoning from A/O to R-1A (high density, single dwelling unit). The tract is a 7,000 square foot lot, residential district for the property legally described as A0046 J Moore, Tract 21-1, Acres 54.00 changing the current zoning from A/O to R-2 (medium density, multi dwelling unit) legally described as A0055-6 D Tyler, Tract 6, Par 19, Acres 67.50, A0055-6 D Tyler, Tract 6, Par 18, Acres 23.52 and A0055-6 D Tyler, Tract 19-1, Acres 10.00, located in Navasota.

Currently Stafford said there aren’t any plans in place to develop the property, it is just a means of rezoning in case the land may be developed in the future.

Navasota Mayor Bert Miller said the city has grown but the development of multifamily housing units such as apartment complexes within the town haven’t kept up with the growth rate. He stated to be open and transparent the city is actively seeking possibilities of bringing multifamily residential places such as apartments to Navasota since that is the most affordable option for some families.

The area being discussed is behind Magnolia Estates. Several residents spoke during the public hearing with crime and safety being the emphasis. One gentleman stated there was an influx in car burglaries in the area and he wants to ensure there is enough law enforcement to serve the area.

Another gentleman noted that he embraces growth and realizes it is going to happen but wants to ensure the city has enough resources such as water, septic and first responders to handle the growth. That same gentleman also thanked law enforcement for the rapid response to his home to check on a possible burglary. He stated he and his wife were on vacation in Mexico and he can view live surveillance footage from his home via his cellphone. Within minutes he said officers were on scene securing the property.

Their will be a second and final reading of the rezoning at the Dec. 9, city council meeting.

Tree of Angels

Mayor Bert Miller read a proclamation designating December as Tree of Angels month in Navasota. Tree of Angels allows victims’ families of violent crimes to put an Angel on the tree to help cope and to help promote a safer community by bringing awareness to the victims of violent crimes and their families. There is a Tree of Angels located inside Navasota Municipal building and one located in the Grimes County Law Enforcement Center located in Anderson.