Weatherford City Council Regular Meeting – December 16, 2025

The Weatherford City Council met on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at Weatherford City Hall (303 Palo Pinto Street). Mayor Paul Paschall presided. Councilmembers Heidi Wilder, Zack Smith, and Luke Williams were present; Councilmember Matt Ticzkus was absent. The council approved the previous meeting minutes and the consent agenda, held public hearings and approved two TIRZ amendments and a short-term rental zoning amendment, and approved an interlocal agreement after executive session. The council recessed for executive session, reconvened at 6:24 PM, and adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Community Interest & Announcements

• Aaron Spicer provided community updates: holiday parking was described as "competitive sport"; the Weatherford Police Department hosted the annual Blue Christmas event with local elementary schools; Police Chief Hayes was featured in Tarleton State University's magazine; the North Texas Municipal Clerks holiday banquet was held; and the 2026 Parker County United Way calendar is on sale.
• Upcoming events included a holiday petting zoo at the library Friday, December 19 at 10:30 AM; Pathway of Lights nightly through December 31, 5:30–9 PM at Heritage Park; and First Monday Trade Days January 2–4, 2026, 9 AM–4 PM at Heritage Park.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved in one motion (motion by Councilmember Luke Williams, second by Councilmember Heidi Wilder) and included:

• Approval of the December 2, 2025 City Council minutes.
• Reappointment of Lindsey Hester to the Municipal Utility Board; John Hinton and Sharon Hayes to the Planning and Zoning Commission; and Paul Paschall and Zack Smith to the TIRZ No. 1 and TIRZ No. 2 Boards.
• Authorization for the City Manager to execute a contract with Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. for the Roadway, Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Program update in an amount not to exceed $166,500, for a total aggregate fiscal year expenditure amount of $241,500.
• Adoption of the Policy on Impact Fee Credits and Ordinance O2025-50 to implement it for water and wastewater impact fees.
• Approval of the Final Plat for RaceTrac Weatherford, one lot on approximately 7.341 acres at the northeast corner of Ric Williamson Memorial Highway and Interstate 20 (SBD-25-0016). The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval (6-0) on December 10, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public hearings for the TIRZ No. 1 and TIRZ No. 2 amendments drew no speakers.
• At the zoning text amendment public hearing, Lynn Baber of 2126 Timber Cove Court asked what the update was on short-term rental compliance; she noted that people had not been responsive to the new regulations when the matter was previously before the council and asked whether the ordinance change would require compliance.
• No citizen comments were made on non-agenda items.

Public Hearings & Regular Agenda Items

TIRZ No. 1 Amendment (Ordinance O2025-51)

• Consultant Jordan Sawyer of P3Works, joined by Public Works Director Matt Leppla, presented the amended and restated final project and finance plan for Reinvestment Zone Number One.
• The amendment adds undeveloped property on the south to increase base value and realigns the northern boundary with TIRZ No. 2. The updated base value is $104 million, projected to grow to just over $600 million.
• The presentation projected about $603 million in value, approximately $45 million in additional property taxes, about $16 million retained by the city, and about $182 million in public improvement costs. Twenty-four projects are identified as eligible for TIRZ funding.
• TIRZ No. 1 was created in 2016; the city participates at 75% for the first 15 years and 50% thereafter, and the hospital district participates at 50%, decreasing to 25%. The zone is scheduled to terminate after 2046. The proposed plan was the same plan considered by the TIRZ board earlier that day.
• The council approved the ordinance (motion by Councilmember Wilder, second by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith).

TIRZ No. 2 Amendment (Ordinance O2025-52)

• The same consultant presented the TIRZ No. 2 amended project and finance plan, which contains no boundary change and updates the project list with 13 eligible items.
• TIRZ No. 2 was created in 2018, has only city participation at 50%, and is scheduled to expire in 2040. Estimated added development value is about $175 million, generating about $42 million in property taxes with the city retaining half; estimated public improvement costs are about $14.1 million.
• The mayor clarified that listing projects in a TIRZ plan makes them eligible for funding but does not guarantee construction; each project would still require normal council or board approval.
• The council approved the ordinance (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith, second by Councilmember Luke Williams).

Short-Term Rental Zoning Amendment (Ordinance O2025-53)

• The council considered a text amendment to Title XII, Sections 12-3-302 (C1 General Commercial), 12-3-303 (C2 Interstate Commercial), 12-5-108 (Short-Term Rentals), and 12-6-100 (Definitions) to permit short-term rentals in existing single-family detached residences in C1 and C2 districts and clarify regulations.
• Development Services Director Scott McDonald said the change was prompted by both zoning applications and existing short-term rentals, and confirmed that all existing STR regulations continue to apply consistently.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously recommended approval (6-0) on December 10, 2025.
• The council approved the ordinance (motion by Councilmember Luke Williams, second by Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith).

Executive Session and Action

• Under Texas Government Code Section 551.071, the council met in executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Services with Parker County Emergency Service District No. 3.
• After reconvening, the council approved the interlocal agreement and authorized the City Manager to execute it (motion by Councilmember Heidi Wilder, second by Councilmember Luke Williams).

Future Agenda Items

• Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith noted that short-term rental compliance is already scheduled for the second council meeting in January 2026.
• Councilmember Heidi Wilder requested future discussion on: (1) defining infill projects and clarifying the policy for an exception to the 75-foot requirement when an infill project cannot financially fund itself; and (2) prioritizing TIRZ projects against available funding, likely as a council retreat topic.
• Councilmember Wilder also asked to revisit facade grant program funding to include a project at 203 North Main that was re-evaluated after the previous council meeting. After discussion, no council support was expressed for placing that funding item on a future agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the December 2, 2025 minutes and the full consent agenda.
• Adopted Ordinance O2025-51 amending TIRZ No. 1's boundaries, project costs, and final project and finance plan.
• Adopted Ordinance O2025-52 amending TIRZ No. 2's project costs and final project and finance plan.
• Adopted Ordinance O2025-53 permitting short-term rentals in existing single-family detached residences in C1 and C2 districts and clarifying regulations.
• Approved the Interlocal Agreement for Emergency Services with Parker County Emergency Service District No. 3 and authorized the City Manager to execute it.
• Confirmed future agenda items for STR compliance and TIRZ prioritization; the facade grant funding request was not scheduled.