Parking doesn’t seem to be an issue in Stephenville’s downtown district

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (May 2, 2016) – Stephenville City Administrator Pat Bridges is giving his recommendation the City Council approve a special use permit in the downtown district, located at 223 East College Street allowing a restaurant opening there to serve alcohol.

Local investor and businessman Del Burdick had his request tabled at last month’s council meeting after a question about parking was raised by council members. After a study of the downtown district, Bridges penned a memorandum to be reviewed by the council at Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting.

“A review of the area surrounding the proposed locations indicates the availability of up to 146 potential parking spaces,” Bridges wrote. “Some of these parking spaces are already marked and others would have to be Mark. After reviewing the matter with the Director of Planning and Building Services (Noah Collis) and the Chief of Police (Jason King), is the conclusion of the staff is sufficient parking exists in the area question.”

Bridges continued, “Chief King and I agree that it would be premature to take action on parking in the nearby residential neighborhoods until it is shown that an actual need exists. If Council concerns over parking are allayed, it is my recommendation to approve the request that has been submitted.”

The desire to be able to serve alcohol at the location led to the need of a special use permit which in turn raised questions of noise, litter and mainly parking.

Stephenville City Council has a full slate coming up Tuesday evening including approving a proposal for preparing a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the Stephenville Downtown District.

Getting Stephenville into the National Registry of Historic Places has the potential for huge tax incentives for building owners who meet the designation to include federal historic preservation tax incentives of up to 20-percent in Texas historic preservation tax credits.

A recent study by the University of Texas and Rutgers University reveal some surprising facts about the significant benefits of historic preservation efforts in the Lone Star State.

Since 2000, $251 million in grants across 91 counties through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program has created 9600 jobs and added 651 million in state gross domestic product. It also revitalized downtown areas and small and large communities.

The study also showed more than 10-percent of Texas travel is heritage related, with $2.26 billion annual visitors spending related to history-based tourism. In 2013 79,000 jobs were believed to be tied to historic preservation.

Since 1981, participating cities in the Texas Main Street program have made an average annual contribution of 310 million to state GDP. Cumulative reinvestment in Main Street areas as total more than $5.2 billion since 1981 currently, 89 cities participate in the program.

Here is Tuesday’s agenda:

• Call to Order
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Invocation
• Citizens’ General Discussion
• Consider Approving a Proposal from Mary G. Saltarelli for Preparing a Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the Stephenville Downtown District
• Consider adopting Ordinance No. 2016-O-03 granting a Special Use Permit for Downtown District (DT) Alcoholic Beverage Service on Lot 3, Block 15, City Addition, located at 223 East College Street, Stephenville, Texas
• Consider Approving the Pavement Management Plan
• Consider 2016 Street Maintenance Program 
• Consider Adopting Ordinance No. 2016-O-04 providing budget amendments for the remainder of the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2015 and ending September 30, 2016
• First Reading of the Draft Economic Development Incentive Policy
• Consider Adopting Ordinance No. 2016-O-05 Amending the Fee Schedule to Provide for Changes to the Water Rates
• Consider Adopting Ordinance No. 2016-O-06 Approving a Negotiated Settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division regarding the company’s 2016 Rate Review Mechanism Filings
• CONSENT AGENDA
• Approve Minutes of April 5, 2016 Regular Council Meeting 
• Approve Bid Award for City Park Parking Lot
• Comments by City Administrator-90 114 No. 2006-04/Terminal Building and Parking Lot–pg.s, Access to Hangar Areas and Relocate Fuel Station
• RELATING THERET
• Comments by Council members
• EXECUTIVE SESSION. In compliance with the provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Law, Subchapter D, Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes, Annotated, in accordance with Sec. 551.072 Deliberations about Real Property and Sec. 551.074 Personnel Matters (a)(1) to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee
• South 24 feet of Lot 11, Lots 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, Block 20, City Addition, located at 239 South Columbia Street
• Evaluation of City Attorney
• Evaluation of City Secretary
• Evaluation of City Administrator
• Action taken on matters discussed in executive session (if necessary)
• Adjourn