The Fredericksburg City Council gave the green light to developers of condominiums, which would address the need for more affordable housing, at its Aug. 15 meeting.

Municipal Judge Shelley Becker presented a plan for the City of Fredericksburg Municipal Court to become a Court of Record, changing several municipal court systems.

Affordable housing plans

The council approved the request from Jesse Durden of Kept Property Group, LLC, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow condominium use for property located one lot east of 591 Friendship Lane, as defined in the German Emigration Company Lot 24.

The lot is about 2.25 acres and will hold 22 1,000-square-feet multi-family units.

The price point will be between $300,000 and $350,000, and is meant to accommodate first responders, teachers and nurses, according to Durden.

The development was first presented to the City of Fredericksburg Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z). Since that meeting, the group has made clear the intended use of the property is not for STR units.

“Our goal is that this would be a lifelong community of local community members who can be proud of these houses for generations,” said Shea Abbott, vice president of Kept Classic construction.

Tom Mussleman, a P&Z commissioner and neighbor to the development, said in a public comment, “I like that they are restricting STRs. I think it would be a good public policy to prohibit STRs in condos.”

He explained since the new units will be close living quarters, it would be appropriate to formally restrict STRs in condominiums.

“If we’re trying to do away with or reduce the amount of vehicular traffic, why not put some sidewalks in?” he proposed, recognizing the cost involved.

P&Z staff requested a sidewalk on Creek Street to address traffic.

“I really liked this project,” Mayor Jeryl Hoover said. “I really liked the young, creative people coming to us and offering a solution to something we’ve been talking about forever.”

“My goal, personally, is homeownership and more paths to homeownership, which betters community,” he added.

“I love the opportunity for people to have a path to ownership,” Councilmember Emily Kirchner said. “It’s not just another apartment complex.”

Councilmember Tony Klein agreed, saying, “I like what you’re doing because this is what we’re talking about — affordable housing.”

Klein first made the motion to approve the request and all councilmembers agreed.

The mayor said discussions on housing affordability will continue.

Councilmember Randy Briley stated he is focusing on retention of police and fire EMS department staff. He said he would like to see first responders live in town or county. He suggested a preferred rate for first responders.

The mayor stated that concerning housing affordability, he wants to come up with something substantive before the end of the calendar year.

A court of record

The council received a presentation from Becker on the City of Fredericksburg Municipal Court becoming a court of record — implementing a formal, permanent record system.

“Now, all proceedings and municipal court will have to be on the record,” she said.

A court reporter would only be present to transcribe in the event of an appeal.

Becker said this change would expand civil jurisdiction, change the appeals process and consolidate ordinance enforcement.

For example, she mentioned administrative search and seizure warrants would extend for investigating health, safety and nuisance ordinance violations.

Changes in the appeals process will now fall under the rules of the Texas Court of Appeals, like in the county and district courts, Becker said.

Additional costs for the city to consider in the comprehensive plan include about $2,000-$5,000 for recording software and an additional clerk. All costs would stay within the city.

“I think the community would really benefit from establishing a court of record,” she said.

Feb. 24 is the goal date to have all systems in place if the council decides to approve the change.

Addressing the changing landscape and climate

The council approved the requests by Bob Walch and Haden Simmons to change the land use from low-density residential to commercial and change the zoning from single family residential to neighborhood commercial for two properties located in the 500 block of West Live Oak between 528 S. Milam and 610 W. Live Oak.

“My concern is that’s a creek bed. How are you going to develop there,” Councilmember Kirchner asked.

Planning and Zoning commissioner Tim Dooley asked which set of floodplain maps Fredericksburg will continue to live under.

“In the next two to three years we can expect remapping,” Assistant City Manager Garret Bonn said.

The last maps were created in 2001, but following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) priorities changed, lowering Gillespie County on the list for new floodplain mapping. Bonn reported that there is no regular schedule for remapping, but substantially updated versions will arrive.

Also on the agenda

• Public Information Officer Lea Feuge presented website analytics, discussed a possible City of Fredericksburg mobile app and mass communication software. Feuge is considering better options with the council for emergency alerts, through FEMA.

• The council approved a request by Whitney Koch of Mustard Design for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for general warehousing and distribution and light manufacturing uses for property located at 977 Kerr Rd. It was previously zoned as a medium manufacturing area.

City manager report

• 112 lifeguards were on staff this summer and lifeguard recruitment will begin in February.

• There are 50 projected single-family residential building permits for the 2023 year.

• There are 583 multi-family units under construction, 70 were recently completed and 629 were approved but have not begun construction.

• From July 2022, there was a 5.8% reduction in water use.

• The Knauth wells show aquifer levels at about 100 feet below the surface, roughly the same as July 2022. The aquifer seems to be stabilizing, as of Aug. 9, City Manager Clinton Bailey said.

• The city is still looking for a 20% reduction in water pumping.

• The city’s water revenue and consumption is $8.2 million, 77.4% of the $10.6 million budget, as of July 2023.

• 2023 sales tax collections are up 6% over 2022 and are projected to exceed budget.

• $5.1 million was collected in property taxes as of July 2023 (99% of the budget).

• The city is seeing numbers slightly above average for instances of fire calls per month. “Currently there shouldn’t be any at all,” Chief Lynn Bizzell said about burning brush.

• There are 16 open positions in the city.