Brownwood News – The Brownwood City Council on Tuesday morning, April 28, held a rather lengthy Public Hearing on a proposed zoning change. Brent Moseley, local businessman, had requested a zoning change from residential to business district at the corner of Austin Avenue and Bonita. Mr. Moseley’s request was so that he could place an Ice/Water vending machine on the property and possibly in the future build a storage unit facility.
The Brownwood Planning and Zoning Commission on April 2nd had denied the request.
In the Public Hearing by City Council, neighbors either spoke against the request or presented letters against the request and offered several reasons why they did not want the property zoned for business.
In the end, the City Council sided with the residents and denied the request to change the zoning.
In other business, the Council voted to deny an application by Oncor Electric to increase distribution rates with the City. The increase would have resulted in an approximately $0.88 increase to the average residential customer’s monthly bill.
The Council passed on Final Reading an Ordinance to prohibit dogs in the Bert V. Massey, II Sports Complex while league sanctioned baseball and softball games and tournaments are being played.
The Council received an update on COVID-19 from Lisa Dick with the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department.
Emily Crawford, City Manager, told the Council that plans are for City Hall and the drive-thru window at City Hall to re-open on Monday, May 4. Other city owned buildings will remain closed for now.
Mayor Stephen Haynes urged citizens to continue to be vigilant with social distancing, hand washing and other recommended safety precautions, even as some retail and restaurants ease back open this Friday, May 1.
