Planning & Building Services, P&Z focused on progress, development

By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (March 19, 2017) – There’s more good news in terms of growth and development in Stephenville. From the commencement of two construction projects last month to actions paving the way for a new rural subdivision and a proposed new eatery, the future of the city appears to be bigger, brighter and better served.

Deputy City Administrator Jeremy Allen, also the interim director of planning and building services, said February welcomed two new commercial construction projects, including a $1.8 million project underway at 2108 West Washington Street. He said the site is the former location of Aaron’s and future home of Complete Care.

Leslie Kennedy, Complete Care representative, said the Stephenville facility will be a hybrid location.

According the Complete Care website, urgent care centers provide medical treatment for minor ailments, injuries and illnesses. Those centers are typically open on a limited schedule and not equipped to handle medical emergencies, whereas Complete Care ER facilities provide care seven days per week and 24 hours per day, including holidays, and without appointment.

“Stephenville will offer both,” Kennedy said, adding that the company’s ER facilities provide advanced care for minor and major illnesses and injuries and treat children and adults.

Patients will be triaged upon arrival to determine if emergency or urgent care is needed, and Kennedy said patients – without or without insurance – can anticipate a maximum $500 out-of-pocket cost.

Complete Care has other several facilities across the state in the cities of Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas/Fort Worth and smaller communities like Azle and Southlake, as well as facilities in the East Texas city of Tyler and in the state of Colorado.

Meanwhile, Allen said Elk Ridge Baptist Church, located at 634 East Road, also began a construction project last month. The gymnasium project is estimated at a little less than $50,000.

According to Allen, permits issued for the month of February were as follows:

Commercial remodel, 1
Mechanical, 3
Electrical, 5
Plumbing, 17
Commercial Certificates of Occupancy, 9
Irrigation, 4
Accessory buildings, 6
Signage, 7

“The Planning and Building Department has been, and is continuing to, make large strides into increasing efficiency and reducing time to get permits processed or get developers through the process,” Allen said. “Robert Turk, building official; Terry Adams, building inspector; and Shyra King, permit technician, are all geared toward improving the process. I have, in my short time with the department, received quite a few compliments on the staff and the willingness to help in the process.”

Allen was appointed to fill the role about a month-and-a-half ago, following the departure of Noah Cullis, former director of planning and building services.

In other moves to improve operations, Allen said the city is currently working to update its subdivision regulations to make the process more user friendly and help reduce steps for approval while still providing oversight of developers and builders.

“The anticipated date for adoption of the new regulations is in June,” he said.

Allen also provided information on the March 15 Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting, at which the commission unanimously passed a final plat of the Stone Gate Estates located.

Located on FM 914, or Alexander Highway, Allen said the existing parcel is 54.36 acres and the property owner plans to subdivide it into 18 individual lots.

“The developer will market (the subdivision lots) to individuals who desire a rural homestead; however, livestock such as horses, cows, pigs or chickens will be prohibited,” Allen said.

P&Z also unanimously passed a rezoning request for a property located at 2847 W. Washington, around the location of the old Coca Cola distribution center, for the possible location of a new restaurant – called Outpost Burger.

“The current zone is Industrial and the proposed zoning is B-5, a restaurant with on-premises alcohol consumption,” Allen said. “Outpost Burger is a dine-in restaurant, and they plan to have some outdoor seating that wraps around the front/side of the building. Their plan to sell beer and wine, but they plan to keep the atmospheres clean and classy and anticipate most sales to come from food.”

The subdivision plat and rezoning request will next be considered by the Stephenville City Council and the items are expected to be on the council’s April 4 agenda.