City to expand rooftops, health care, boundaries
Development fared well at the Monday, Aug. 9, Navasota City Council meeting. With all council members present and voting in the affirmative, they paved the way for 100-plus rooftops, the expansion of health care services and annexation on the city’s west side.
100-plus homesites planned for N. LaSalle
After a public hearing with no comments against, council approved the first reading Ordinance 969- 21 changing the zoning of 17.175 acres behind Jarvis Tire Pros on N. LaSalle Street from B-1 General Business District to Hidden Hills PUD (Planned Unit Development). The change will allow for construction of 100-plus single-family homes by Dove Court and Dove Landing developers, Blackrock Builders LLC.
Blackrock amended their concept plan to include sidewalks on both sides of the street as requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their July 22 meeting.
Following up on P&Z’s request for consideration of greenspace or a park in the subdivision, Councilman Josh Fultz inquired about the status of that request.
Blackrock president Thomas Pack responded saying they haven’t come to a final decision but have considered using two large lots for a greenspace/ playground area instead of building homes on those sites but are weighing the cost of construction against paying the park land fee. CEO Brian McDonald indicated Blackrock has already been in contact with playground equipment vendors. Mayor Bert Miller, a park proponent, said the City was open to discussion.
HealthPoint expansion
After a public hearing with no comments against, council approved a conditional use permit request from Brazos Valley Community Action Agency dba HealthPoint for the property located at 8310 SH 6 adjacent to the Baylor Scott and White Clinic.
HealthPoint is relocating from the Dove Crossing office complex in order to expand its service to include four physicians/physician’s assistants, two behavioral health specialists, one dentist and hygienist, and provide telehealth services. As a federally qualified health center, HealthPoint provides services primarily to the uninsured and underinsured but is open to those with Medicaid, Medicare and private health insurance.
Annexation request moves forward
Council members approved Resolution 698-21 to set a date, time and place for a public hearing regarding an annexation request by Paul Hammack for 42.381 acres on SH 105 West adjacent to Pecan Lakes Estates. Development Services Director Lupe Diosdado said, “We’re hoping this will lead to another residential or commercial development. It’s exciting stuff. Our city is growing.”
Gas invoice deliberations continue
After meeting in Executive Session per Section 551.071, Texas Government Code, council took no action regarding an invoice received from Symmetry Energy Solutions, LLC for natural gas supplied to the City of Navasota in February 2021.
The agenda item was originally addressed in Executive Session July 12, after which council approved Pattie Pederson’s motion to engage Jonathan Baughman of McGinnis Lochridge Law Firm to represent the City in the dispute with Symmetry concerning the invoice and authorizing the mayor as signatory.
Mayor Bert Miller said, “The reason that this is being considered by council tonight is that we received an exorbitant bill for the month of February 2021 in the amount of $1.3 million. This is for the month when Winter Storm Uri hit Navasota. A normal gas bill during this time is around $65,000. The City, in good faith, has paid Symmetry for the amount agreed to under the terms of the contract.” Miller told The Examiner, “We are evaluating whether Symmetry can legally charge the City for these high rates.”
Other council action:
•After meeting in Executive Session per Section 551.071, Texas Government Code, rejected bids received for the 2021 Downtown Revitalization Program for W. Washington Avenue from Eighth to Tenth Street.
•Received an update from Strand Associates on the Thoroughfare Plan and Pedestrian and Bike Plan.
•After a public hearing with no comments against, approved the first reading of Ordinance 971-12 vacating a 41-foot section of Allen Street right of way and a 20-foot alleyway in the Lasker Subdivision.
•Renewed the grazing and baling lease agreement with Larry and Mildred Wood at the closed landfill site for $30 per acre annually.
•Approved the Consent Agenda which included the minutes and expenditures for the month of July 2021.
•After meeting in Executive Session per Section 551.087, Texas Government Code, council took no action regarding an economic development agreement with J&H Navasota Development LLC.
Reports from City staff or City officials:
•Received a report on Navasota Economic Development Corporation activities from EDC Specialist Rayna Willenbrink which included announcement of acceptance of a proposal from GIS Planning for a new Zoom prospector tool. The project is a collaborative effort between the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce.
•Received a Capital Improvement Project update from contractor John Henry.
•Head Librarian Tiffany Sammon gave report on library activities and usage and announced the addition of a home-school hour on the second Friday of each month.
View city council meetings in their entirety at www.navasotatx.gov/city-council/pages/meeting-videos