Fredericksburg City Council Regular Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Fredericksburg City Council met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM at City Hall at East Campus. The meeting included public hearings on a conditional use permit for a convenience store expansion and a rezoning request, an appeal of a short-term rental permit denial, street closure approvals, a delinquent tax collection contract decision, and updates on flood recovery and economic development. Four council members were present (Mayor Briley, Mayor Pro-Tem Watson, Councilmember Eidson; Councilmember Neffendorf arrived later; Councilmember Klein was absent).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for the Special Budget Council Meeting on June 15, 2026 and the Regular City Council Meeting on June 16, 2026.
• Approved a revised Interlocal Agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) for Radio Services and Equipment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7A (County Express Food Mart CUP): Amelia Bertrand expressed opposition, citing health concerns from gas station proximity (new 2026 research suggesting 300-foot setback for children under 15), traffic and parking issues, and property value impacts. Bradley Bertrand, a licensed architect, also opposed, raising concerns about the late submission of a revised site plan at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting and asking the city to investigate whether gas stations are appropriate in residential neighborhoods.
• Item 8A (Delinquent Tax Collections): Scott Fair, Chief Appraiser of Gillespie Central Appraisal District (GCAD), presented his recommendation to retain Line Barger & Associates for delinquent tax collection, noting that the other firm (Perdue) was recommended by Crystal Chassot but he found Line Barger superior after interviews. He reported that of five prior taxing entity meetings, three voted for Perdue and two for Line Barger, and that the school district had not yet decided.
• Item 8B (Street Closure for Warehouse Row Makers Market): Jill Elliott and Josh Allen (Chamber of Commerce) spoke in favor, reporting 4,000 attendees at the first market and seeking two-day closures with overnight Saturday in November 2026 and April 2027. They noted that the event is not for profit and any surplus would be donated.
• Item 8C (STR Appeal): Ashley Nardiello appealed the denial of an STR-Unoccupied permit for 610 W. Travis, explaining that her mother resides in an accessory dwelling unit, they had inadvertently allowed the permit to lapse, and they have since ceased renting and are current on hotel occupancy taxes. She noted 10 other STRs in the vicinity.

Discussion Items

• 7A - Conditional Use Permit for County Express Food Mart (816 N. Milam St.): The applicant proposed a 450-sq.-ft. addition and addition of three fuel islands (later reduced to two) to an existing convenience store. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0 with conditions (reduced hours 6 a.m.–10 p.m., no audio/visual on pumps, backlit canopy off, fencing, parking compliance). Council discussed concerns about groundwater contamination and traffic but voted to approve.
• 7B - Rezoning Request (207 E. Mulberry St.) from R1 to C1: The applicant (Grant Gold) was not present. Staff noted that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial 9-0 based on lack of public benefit, potential negative impacts on surrounding single-family homes, and inconsistency with comprehensive plan guiding principles. Council voted unanimously to deny.
• 7C - Speed Limit Reduction on RM 965 (N. Milam St.): Staff Engineer Sibyl Deckard presented an ordinance decreasing the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph between W. Mulberry St. and W. Main St., based on a TxDOT traffic study showing an 85th percentile speed lower than the posted limit. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
• 8A - Delinquent Tax Collection Firm Selection: After Scott Fair's presentation, a motion to approve Line Barger failed. A subsequent motion to approve Perdue (the firm recommended by Crystal Chassot) passed 3-1 (Councilmember Watson voted no). The city supported Perdue.
• 8B - Street Closure for Warehouse Row Makers Market: Council discussed concerns about overnight closures and long-term street closure policy. Councilmember Neffendorf proposed approving only the November 2026 date (Saturday 6 a.m. to Sunday 6 p.m.) and evaluating before approving April 2027. The applicants agreed. Motion carried.
• 8C - Appeal of STR-Unoccupied Permit Denial for 610 W. Travis: The applicant argued that the permit should be reinstated as a legal non-conforming use. Director of Development Services Cliff Cross noted that the property is in R1 and the primary residence is used as an STR while the owner's mother lives in the accessory dwelling. City Attorney Barbara Quirk stated that no special circumstance applies. The motion to deny the appeal resulted in a tie (2-2), so the motion failed, and the original denial was upheld.
• 8D - Text Amendments for CBD Permitted Uses: Council discussed options to consider requiring conditional use permits in the Central Business District. A motion to direct staff to set up a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Commission was approved.
• 9B - Quarterly Economic Development Update: Tim Lehmberg presented sales tax data (city up 9.21% for May, year-to-date 3.38%), building permits (399 residential year-to-date, 131 commercial), average home sale price ($544,409), lodging revenues (up 3% Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025), and job growth trends (slowing, with 85 jobs added in 2025). Occupancy rates remain high (94-95%).
• Flood Recovery Update (added after 9B): Communications Director Sean reported on the July 16-17 flood event: over 30 rescues, 6 air evacs, no fatalities. Infrastructure damage includes washed-out bridge on Old San Antonio Road. Damage assessments underway; residents urged to complete state survey. A Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund has been established.
• Executive Session (Items 11A & 11B): Council discussed board appointments and legal matters. After reconvening, they approved appointments including Brad Bertram to the Historic Review Board.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent Calendar; Ordinance 2026-26 (CUP for County Express Food Mart) with conditions; Ordinance 2026-28 (speed limit reduction on RM 965); motion to approve Perdue for delinquent tax collection (3-1); street closure for November 21-22, 2026 Warehouse Row Makers Market (amended); motion to direct staff to arrange joint meeting with Planning & Zoning on CBD text amendments; board appointments from executive session.
• Denied: Rezoning request (Dev-2026-37-ZC) to C1 at 207 E. Mulberry St. (unanimous); appeal of STR-Unoccupied permit denial for 610 W. Travis (motion to deny failed on tie, so original denial stands).
• Postponed: Native Plant Society presentation to next council session.
• Next Steps: Staff will organize joint meeting with P&Z; further damage assessments for flood recovery; economic development staff to analyze apartment pipeline for next quarter.