Weatherford City Council Regular Meeting – June 23, 2026
Weatherford City Council Regular Meeting – June 23, 2026
The Weatherford City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:01 PM in City Council Chambers. Mayor Paul Paschall presided with a quorum present (Mayor Pro Tem Zack Smith absent). The meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM. Key actions included approval of a conditional use permit for a boutique hotel downtown, two zoning map amendments, and a resolution supporting the reappointment of the Parker County Judge to the Regional Transportation Council.
Items of Community Interest
- The Weatherford Fire Department's new blocker truck arrived and has been used multiple times.
- City trash and recycling staff received over 900 positive social media likes and 150 comments for Global Garbage Mandate post.
- Upcoming events: Spark in the Park (July 4th, America's 250th anniversary), Parker County Peach Festival (July 11th), Homeschool Resource Fair (June 25th), First Monday Trade Days (June 26-28), Pickleball with Weatherford PD (June 30th).
- Beth Holst from DAR joined for America 250 recognition; marker dedication held June 13th.
- Mayor Paschall announced the birth of his grandson, Edwin Wells Paschall.
Presentations & Proclamations
- 5.a. Police Awards: Chief Jason Hayes presented the Chief's Commendation Bar to Officer Cody Atkins and Citizenship Awards to Andrew, Mallory, and Ayla Pritchett for rescuing three individuals from Lake Weatherford on March 2, 2026. The victims were stranded in a failing inflatable raft, in water approximately 50°F. The Pritchett family launched personal kayaks before first responders arrived; Officer Atkins paddled out despite no prior kayaking experience. All three victims were brought safely to shore.
Consent Calendar (Items 7.a–7.e)
- Approved unanimously: reappointments to the Library Board (Betty Richardson, Sarah Davis, Martha Hungate); franchise agreement with Tri-County Electric Cooperative (O2026-19); additional legal services funds for TOASE; Motorola Solutions radio repair services ($8,724); sole-source vehicle repair/maintenance services from Siddons-Martin (up to $135,000).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Terry Hubbard, President of the Parker County Historical Commission, thanked the Council for a facade grant and reported that the commission received the Texas Historical Commission Distinguished Service Award for the fifth consecutive year. She noted 29 members and plans for a regional CHC conference on October 30, 2026, and a downtown history tour.
Discussion Items
- 8.a. Conditional Use Permit – 117 College Avenue (Cotton Bratton Hotel): Applicant Matt Hughes presented a revised plan for a 14-room boutique hotel constructed from shipping containers, with an 8x20 pool, living walls, and stucco/EIFS finish. The project had a previous CUP that expired. Staff recommended approval with conditions (landscape screening, painting, no murals, removal if hotel ceases operation for 180 days, certificate of occupancy within 18 months). Councilmember Rod White expressed initial skepticism but after visiting the applicant's Hotel Middleton in Graham, TX, he supported the project, noting the quality of previous work. A condition was revised to allow an improved exterior surface (EIFS or stucco) at staff discretion instead of solely a living wall. The item passed with that revised condition.
- 8.b. Zoning Map Amendment – 202 South Tower Street (0.459 acres): Request by Debbie Howard to rezone from C1 General Commercial to R1 One-Family Residential. Staff recommended approval; Planning & Zoning voted 6-0. Approved unanimously.
- 8.c. General Plan & Zoning Map Amendment – 114 South Tower Street (0.226 acres): Same applicant, also C1 to R1. General Plan changed from community commercial to suburban living. Approved unanimously.
- 8.d. Zoning Amendment & CUP – 1798 NW Ric Williamson (4.569 acres): Request by Shane Kuehler to rezone from Agriculture to C1 General Commercial with a CUP for contractor office/facility with outdoor storage. The applicant requested postponement to July 8 (P&Z) and July 28 (City Council). The Council tabled the item to those date certain dates.
- 8.e. Resolution R2026-13 – RTC Representation: City Manager James Hotopp explained that the Parker/Wise County cluster on the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of NCTCOG is seeking reappointment of Parker County Judge Pat Dean as primary representative, with Wise County Judge J.D. Clark as alternate. Judge Dean has attended 19 of 23 meetings (22 effective). The seat is shared based on weighted population (70% Parker, 30% Wise). A letter from Judge Clark requested enhanced communication and regular updates. Council supported the resolution, emphasizing Judge Dean's attendance and relationships. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 8.a (CUP – 117 College Avenue): Ordinance O2026-20 adopted with revised condition (exterior surface to be EIFS/stucco at staff discretion). Motion by Ticzkus, second by Williams; passed.
- Item 8.b (202 South Tower Street): Ordinance O2026-22 adopted. Motion by Ticzkus, second by White; passed.
- Item 8.c (114 South Tower Street): Ordinance O2026-21 adopted. Motion by Ticzkus, second by White; passed.
- Item 8.d (1798 NW Ric Williamson): Ordinance O2026-23 postponed to July 28, 2026. Motion by Williams, second by Ticzkus; passed.
- Item 8.e (Resolution R2026-13): Resolution adopted supporting Judge Dean's reappointment to RTC. Motion by Williams, second by White; passed.
- Minutes of June 9, 2026, approved.
- Consent agenda approved as a body.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being here before I call the meeting to order. I'm going to invite Neil Rowe to come up from Waterhouse Church. And it's going to lead us for invocation. We appreciate you being here, sir. Always a pleasure. Thank you for the invitation. The words of the Lord to Isaiah. This is what the Lord says. Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I'm coming soon to rescue you and display my righteousness among you. Father, we come to you today to ask for wisdom. That we can do what is right and what is just. Lord, I thank you that you're with this council, that you're with those who work in this city. Father, I pray that you protect those who protect us, that you watch over them. God, not just physically, but also their hearts. God that you amend them when they're broken, that you would hold them when they grieve. And God, that you would be with our city because our city needs you in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you for being here tonight, Pastor. Appreciate you being willing to do that so often for us. Item two on the agenda is to call the meeting to order and announce we have a quorum present at 601 p.m. We do have a quorum present tonight. Our Mayor Pro Tim is unable to attend this evening due to prior plans. Item three on the agenda is Pledges of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags to be led by Councilmember Matt Tiscus. All right. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And Sir Republic, we're on nation under God, indivisible with liberty and just crawl. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas one say under God. One individual. Mayor and Council. I don't want to spoil anything, but if tonight's items of community interest were a playlist, it would go heavy metal, classic country, a couple of bangers, and end with a sweet lullaby. So put on your listening ears, because here we go. The Weatherford Fire Department's new blocker truck has arrived and wasted no time getting to work. It's already been used multiple times to help protect crews on scene at several incidents, which is exactly what we want from a vehicle whose main job is to be big, visible, and in the way on purpose. We also want to take a moment to recognize our City of Weatherford trash and recycling staff. A recent social media post featuring some of our crew members for Global Garbage Mandate clearly struck a chord with our community. They received more than 900 likes, 150 comments, and many shares, and they were all positive. The response made one thing clear. Our residents notice and appreciate the hard work these employees do every day. Trash and recycling collection is not easy, especially in the Texas heat, but this team shows up early, works hard, and keeps our community going. Spark in the Park returns Saturday, July 4th at Heritage Park, and this year's celebration is a big one. Weatherford will celebrate America's 250th anniversary with live music, food trucks, a kid's own, and one of North Texas's largest fireworks shows. Gates open at 4 p.m. with Stony LaRue taking the stage at 8. Bring your people, bring your lawn chairs, and get ready for a big Weatherford 4th of July. The 41st Parker County Peach Festival is Saturday, July 11th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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