Fredericksburg City Council Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Fredericksburg City Council met in regular session on February 17, 2026, at 9:00 AM, called to order by Mayor Jeryl Hoover. The meeting began with an invocation by City Resident Janice Smith, pledges of allegiance, and ceremonial recognitions for retiring historian Evelyn Weinheimer and emergency partners the Hill Country Red Cross and United Methodist Church. The council acted on multiple significant items, including zoning requests, an agreement with the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the approval of a Glockenspiel project, and a contract for a new Unified Development Code (UDC).

Consent Calendar

• The council unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting of February 3, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marlene Pilot (President, Windcrest Patio Homes Association): Expressed cautious support for the conditional use permit for the Nuvista townhomes, stating that while trust remains an issue, the current plan is the best negotiated and they rely on the city for construction oversight.
• Jim Wilhide (Windcrest resident): Raised concerns that sidewalk requirements for the Nuvista development were not explicitly included in the written conditions, despite oral commitments during the Planning & Zoning meeting.
• Mr. Dooley: Thanked the applicant for compromising on the townhome project and explained the unique voting dynamics of the Planning & Zoning Commission on the matter.
• Eric Hamerson: Argued against the Glockenspiel agreement, stating his position that the project does not meet the statutory criteria for the use of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds, as it does not constitute a historic restoration, a structured advertisement, or a directly traceable driver for overnight stays.

Discussion Items

Zoning Change Request Z-2522 (707 N. Milam Street)

Cliff Cross (Director of Development Services) presented a request by Judy K. Feller to rezone a 4.49-acre property from Single-Family Residential (R1) to Commercial (C2). Staff noted the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation for denial due to spot zoning concerns but offered support for a change to Neighborhood Commercial (C1) as a compromise. The council voted to deny the C2 request and instead approved an ordinance changing the zoning to C1.

Conditional Use Permit Request Z-2523 (1032 S. Milam Street / Nuvista Development)

• Applicant Presentation: P.V. McMinn presented a revised CUP for 19 luxury townhomes on a 4.87-acre tract, featuring a 495-foot cul-de-sac shortened to comply with code.
• Staff Report: Cliff Cross recommended approval subject to five conditions (20-foot buffer, retaining wall easement, 7am-7pm construction hours, city input on tree preservation, 90-day plat timeline). A sixth condition requiring sidewalk installation was added via the council motion.
• Council Action: The council approved the CUP by a supermajority vote (5-0).

Text Amendment Z-2602 (Reapplication Timeline)

The council approved amendments to Zoning Code Sections 5.270 and 5.470, establishing a one-year waiting period for resubmitting denied rezoning or CUP applications, and a six-month period for withdrawn applications. Staff stated this aligns the city with standard practices in other municipalities.

Texas Historical Commission (THC) Operating Agreement (Item 8A)

Chris Elliott (THC Chief of Historic Sites) presented plans for an interactive frontier history center on the former Texas Rangers Heritage Center site. The council approved the operating agreement conveying the property to the state. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the 10-year operational deadline and the city's cost liabilities (utilities, title insurance) before the transfer. The motion carried with a directive to clarify that the city's financial responsibilities for the property would end at the date of transfer, not at the start of full operations.

Glockenspiel Project Agreements (Items 8B & 7D)

• Agreement with PCAA (Item 8B): Mike Zenner (PCAA) presented the final contract for the 45-foot tower featuring 38 bells, with a total construction budget of $1.442 million. Privately raised funds total $1.26 million. The council approved the agreement authorizing the project.
• Budget Amendment (Item 7D): Tim Crenwelge (MSRC Chair) requested $125,000 from the Food & Wine Fund and $50,000 from the John Klein Meeting Room Fund, totaling $175,000, to fulfill the Market Square Redevelopment Commission's (MSRC) commitment of $400,000 to the project. The budget amendment was approved.

Unified Development Code Consultant (Item 8D)

The council approved the selection of Kimley Horn as the lead consultant for the initial phase of the Unified Development Code (UDC) update and authorized City Manager Clinton Bailey to negotiate a professional services contract up to $175,000. Staff reported that Kimley Horn received the highest evaluation score (91.4) among 13 respondents.

Joint Election Services (Item 8C)

The council approved a contract with the Gillespie County Elections Administrator for joint election services for the City of Fredericksburg’s General Election on May 2, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Z-2522: Approved change from R1 to C1 zoning at 707 N. Milam Street.
• Z-2523: Approved Conditional Use Permit for 19 townhomes at 1032 S. Milam Street with six conditions.
• Z-2602: Approved text amendment establishing a reapplication timeline.
• THC Agreement: Approved operating agreement for the former Texas Rangers site with conditions clarifying city cost exposure.
• Glockenspiel: Approved construction agreement with PCAA and a $175,000 budget amendment from MSRC funds.
• UDC Consultant: Selected Kimley Horn and authorized a $175,000 contract.
• Elections: Approved joint election services contract for May 2, 2026.