The latest meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission included some interesting discussion concerning the new Land Development Code that will be presented soon to the City Council for approval.  The P&Z has one final special “called” meeting set for today. They plan to finish their work on revamping this document that Tim McClarty, the chairman, says is the “Road Map for the Future” of Abilene.  The City staff will then print all the changes and then the Council will adopt the new Code.  If you have any interest in seeing the plan I suggest you do so soon so your suggestions can be considered before it is finalized, or should I say set in stone.  If I can help you in any way please give me a call.

Dave Boyll

Executive Director

Abilene Association of Independent Business Owners

Also, on Monday I attended an interesting meeting sponsored by Tenaska.  You will hear much more from this company as they progress with their plans to build a coal fired power plant between Abilene and Sweetwater.   Business leaders from the Abilene area were invited to hear the company present their plans for the Tenaska Trailblazer Energy Center, as the plant will be called.  I found the proposed plant to be an interesting project with several new concepts that the Tenaska representatives claims will be a much more efficient and cleaner way to generate power for our part of the world.   The Center, quote, “will be among the most environmentally responsible coal-fueled power plants in the nation.” They also said that preliminary findings show that the project would provide a boost of more than $100 million to the Abilene economy during construction, and more than $1 million annually during each year of operation.  Tenaska is asking the City of Abilene to sell them municipal wastewater (affluent-not drinkable water)  to cool the plant and there will be a hearing on this at the City Council meeting on December 3rd at 8:30 a.m. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and give the City Council your perspective.

Then, on Thursday I attended the City Council meeting and heard the discussion of the Cedar Ridge Dam and Water Reservoir Project.  As you read in the news, the original site north of Abilene is not suitable for a dam because of the underlying gypsum rock.  The rock dissolves in water and would not hold water in the lake they hope to create.  The plan is now to move the dam a few miles south and proceed with the project.  The Mayor said he looks at this project as affecting his grandchildren (our grandchildren) because the process is a lengthy one and will take years to develop.  He hopes that later generations will look back and thank their predecessors for planning and developing a water source for them years from now.

There will be a public hearing in connection with the discussion of plans for the future of Abilene at the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.  To make it easier for citizens to attend, the meeting will be in the evening at 5:30 in the City Council chambers on November 16th.  The only item on the agenda for the evening will be the Land Development  Code “which will define development and the fabric of our town for the next 20 to 25 years”, said Tim McClarty, commission chairman.   I, as AAIBO Executive Director,  have heard the members of the commission say on several occasions that they want to hear what the public thinks about plans for the future.  The P & Z realizes that changes that are proposed by the city planners and their citizens committees will affect how the city will develop in the future.  As commissioner McClarty said, “It’s a very important document that tells us what our future’s going to look like and lays the groundwork for that, …it’s our road map for the future.”  He went on to say that the general public does not understand that.  So, here is your opportunity to tell the P & Z what you think.  Should you want information before the meeting you may contact the planning office at the city hall, 555 Walnut Street, or you might want to talk to the P & Z commissioners.  AAIBO members and guests will be able to hear Tim McClarty at our next monthly meeting at the Abilene Country Club at noon on Wednesday November 11th.  Make reservations by e-mail at AAIBO.com.  Please attend, tell your friends and business associates,  and bring your questions and comments with you because Tim wants to hear from you.  Proposed changes to the Land Development Code will affect you…that’s why you should care.

Dave Boyll

669-5554

Both the “Yes” and “No” sides also have facebook pages where you can find information as well !

I attended the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and listened again to the arguments for and against the city enacting regulations governing “Guest Houses”. A dispute in a neighborhood on Sayles Boulevard has caused the P and Z to spend many hours spread over several meetings listening and discussing these establishments. “Guest Houses” are generally described as residential homes that have been refurbished or restored to their former grandeur and then rented out on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to anyone wanting to enjoy staying in a nice home rather than a hotel, motel, or “bed and breakfast”. The Commission was told that there are several of the “Guest Houses” spread throughout the city. Those opposed to them say they do not want a business in a residential zoned area. This discussion at P&Z has dominated their planned discussion and possible passing of the City’s new “Land Development Code”. They want the Code to get a full discussion by the full commission with input from the City’s Planning Department and input from the public. Both of these topics, the “Guest Houses”, and the “Land Development Code” will be on the agenda for the P & Z when they meet on October 19th. They plan an evening meeting beginning at 5:30 in the City Council Chambers in City Hall at 555 Walnut. The public will be invited to attend and express their views during public hearings on both topics. Please pass this information on to anyone you know with an interest in the Planning and Zoning Commission discussions.

Dave Boyll

We will be upstairs in the Lounge

Please arrive early so you can get your food and have a seat. Our presentation will start around 12:10.

Also, we request that you please RSVP to the email and phone calls you may get about the meeting.  The country club requires a head count !

Dave Boyll

AAIBO

Dave Boyll, AAIBO Executive Director, writes this update on meetings he has been attending.  The Planning and Zoning Commission just approved rezoned Pine Street from North 6th all the way to I-20.  The Pine Street Overlay which now must get City Council approval changes how businesses can build and use their property in the future.  Existing businesses are “Grandfathered” and only when ownership of the property changes will the new regulations apply.  There were eight public hearings at the last meeting, each relating to zone changes.  The Pine Street Overlay brought out the most comments.  P&Z also approved an ordinance change which will now allow wrecker drivers to park their up to 2 and a half ton trucks at their residences.  They cannot park on the street and not on the lawn.  They must park in a driveway or on an improved surface.  Previously they could not park at any residence and the truck size was only up to 1 and a half tons. The new regulations apply to wreckers that are on 24 hour emergency call.

The City Council will soon be asked by the water department to raise your water rates.   More money is needed by the city to build a new water treatment plant that could take 10 years to plan and build. At the July meeting the Council approved a fee to help finance negotiations with Atmos Gas for lower rates for the residents of Abilene.  The council appointed a new Police Chief.  Assistant Chief Stan Standridge is to be sworn in this week.   The council approved one less Fire Department Captain position and added one more fire fighter.  We now have 13 Chiefs and 120 fire fighters.  The much talked about red light cameras are not going to be used for a while.  The consultant company and the citizens group recommended that other methods be used to  help stop drivers from running red light.

Taylor County Commissioners are wrestling with their budget this month.  They will hear from various department heads and try to trim the requested amounts into a working budget for their new year that  begins in October.  

If you have comments or questions please contact Dave Boyll at  Boyll-david @sbcglobal.net or at  669-5554.