Fredericksburg City Council Regular Meeting – December 2, 2025

The Fredericksburg City Council held its regular meeting on December 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The meeting began with an invocation, pledges, and employee recognitions, followed by council comments, consent agenda approval, and consideration of several land-use and budget items. The council denied a conditional use permit for a townhome development, approved a zoning change on Highway Street, and adopted budget amendments and a grant resolution. An update on the Holman Lane development was also provided, and future agenda items were discussed.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the November 4, 2025 meeting.
• Approved a petition for release of property in the ETJ.
• Approved an ordinance for fees for the use of market plots (final year of three-year approval).
• Approved changes to the city's investment policy, adding new staff member Tyler Hooper.
• Approved the 2026 calendar year city holiday schedule (same as 2025).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marlene Pilot (Wincrest Townhomes and Patio Homes Association resident): Expressed strong opposition to the proposed 21-townhome project at 1032 South Mylam Street. She cited that the Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the request three times (twice unanimously), argued that the applicant cannot be trusted based on past behavior (including threats of apartments), and raised concerns about emergency vehicle access, buffer zones, and destruction of the green belt. She asked when “enough is enough.”

Discussion Items

• Z2513 – Reconsideration of Conditional Use Permit for Townhomes (1032 South Mylam Street):
  • Applicant (PV McMinn Jr., New Vista Development): Presented a simplified plan for 21 luxury townhomes on 4.87 acres, down from the original 14.5-acre proposal. He argued the project is consistent with the 2021 approval and that the only alternative would be a less desirable use permitted by right (e.g., apartments). He requested approval.
  • Development Services Director (Clifford Cross): Explained the background: The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended denial based on a cul-de-sac exceeding 500 linear feet (actual length ~740 ft), though the design meets fire department requirements. He noted the applicant could build multifamily apartments by right, which would be denser. Staff recommended approval with conditions (e.g., 20-ft buffer, no short-term rentals, 180-day plat recording, sidewalks, etc.).
  • Council Questions: Discussed fire access, pedestrian safety, topography (approx. 40 ft elevation difference), and feasibility of a second access. Councilmember Klein noted the Wincrest neighborhood and PNZ had not been satisfied.
  • Motion to Approve: Councilmember Klein moved to approve the CUP with conditions including sidewalks and 180-day plat deadline. The motion failed (no second clarified; transcript says “So the motion fails”). The request was effectively denied; no further vote was taken to overturn the PNZ recommendation.
• Z2521 – Land Use Change and Rezoning (304 East Highway Street):
  • Applicant (Edward Zye): Represented the Dorothy Zye Family Trust, requesting a change from Medium Density Residential to Commercial land use and rezoning from R2 to C2.
  • Staff Report: The current Comprehensive Plan already designates the property as Mixed Use Community Corridor, which permits C2 zoning. Staff recommended denying the land-use change (unnecessary) but approving the rezoning. The PNZ agreed.
  • Council Action: Voted 4-0 to deny the land-use change ordinance, then voted 4-0 to approve the rezoning from R2 to C2.
• Budget Amendments for FY2025 (Ordinance 2025-46):
  • Finance Director (Krista Cross): Presented housekeeping amendments adding ~$2.8 million in contracts (mainly for new city hall) and $600,000 for Sanitation Fund cells. Actual revenues exceeded expectations, leaving reserves higher than projected ($15.3M in general fund vs. anticipated $13.5M). The electric department overran its power-purchase budget by $164,000, offset by higher revenues. Approved unanimously.
• Grant Resolution 2530 – Bullet-Resistant Components for Police Vehicles:
  • Chief of Police: Requested approval to apply for a non-matching state grant of $199,200 (est.) to equip 20 patrol vehicles with armor. The grant is non-competitive but statewide ($5M total). Approved unanimously.
• Holman Lane Development Update (Mr. Bailey):
  • Staff reported ongoing coordination with residents and the developer for Sonoma 1 and Sonoma 2 subdivisions. A meeting was scheduled for December 4 to discuss drainage, traffic impacts, and off-site improvements. The developer’s engineer claims the subdivision’s discharge rate will be less than pre-developed conditions, but volume remains a concern. Staff are working with the county on a countywide drainage master plan (estimated cost $250k–$600k, taking over a year). A formal annexation request for Sonoma 2 will be on the December 16 agenda.
• Future Agenda Items:
  • December 9: Joint meeting with CBB (9 AM) and special meeting for strategic planning kickoff (10 AM). Council decided to keep the strategic planning session on December 9 after debate; Councilmembers stressed urgency after years of delay.
  • December 16: Regular meeting – health department ordinance amendments, board appointments, Holman Lane annexation, leaf/brush pickup fee ordinance, and food/wine festival funding request.
  • January 6: Consideration of horse-drawn carriage ordinance repeal, solicitor permit ordinance, and more control fees.
  • January 13: Special meeting for HOT funding applications.
  • January 20: Regular meeting for HOT funding awards.
• Executive Session: Council went into executive session to discuss water supply purchase/lease (Texas Government Code) and the Gillespie Central Appraisal District (GCAD) board vote. Upon return, they approved Resolution 2531 casting the city’s votes for GCAD directors.

Key Outcomes

• Z2513 (Townhome CUP): Motion to approve failed; project effectively denied. The council did not overturn the PNZ’s recommendation for denial.
• Z2521 (304 East Highway): Land-use change denied (4-0); rezoning from R2 to C2 approved (4-0).
• Budget Amendments FY2025: Ordinance 2025-46 approved unanimously.
• Bullet-Resistant Components Grant: Resolution 2530 approved unanimously.
• GCAD Board Votes: Resolution 2531 approved after executive session; votes cast between Graham Pearson and Jelly (specific allocation not disclosed).
• Strategic Planning: Council confirmed a special meeting on December 9, 2025 at 10 AM to kick off the strategic plan.
• Holman Lane: Continued coordination; public meeting scheduled for December 4; formal action expected December 16.