[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6660214,"mediaKeyId","2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197","parentId",2437804,"title","Council directs staff to research special‑use permit options for ADUs, manufactured homes and RV parks after extended public comment","audioSeconds",3028,"startMs",2843000,"endMs",5871000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197&start=2843&end=5871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197/thumbnail_2843000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660214/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-directs-staff-to-research-specialuse-permit-options-for-ADUs-manufactured-homes-and-RV-parks-after-extended-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660214-3c89f394bee234520b34f547b4370912/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131423&Signature=Hh9mRa-KftBufPWI9QloMFIlaZ6puUzMmJv47mzps1deF8IVLiXNxmNlABSIMzB~QuxxEVK~jvFtMwS8ZDOCcgsNZHPiDH58uHIvsSffPtqaBs43boNf2HIIeF1MIfw5Gd8Csc3u1PIncRpjDgFW8OrhIaqerO2vCf7TpeuOIJJ8BdbRbwiU0q5nve1-t-JOyPZVqBhP5DeRepBn~oDgGduCNnaix0s5OPRMy2SFHwTvS2z1BudHoKRst5hgO-earyL4T2FK73KjtoHMQEa8P65WfuvV-ukiHnuAAXGbC~RcdNCheeZpgyhVIc6GlayMneIsWioCjg7x1arLGnUzZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Taylor","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Taylor City Council on Feb. 27 heard a staff briefing and extensive public comment about whether certain housing categories should require a special‑use permit rather than being allowed “by‑right” through the existing land development code.

Planner Carly Pearson told the council that staff were not proposing immediate code changes but were seeking direction to research options. The categories under consideration were accessory dwelling units (ADUs), manufactured homes, recreational vehicle (RV) parks and certain multifamily developments. Pearson said any future proposal would include statutory required notifications and public hearings and that staff planned to mail notice to every property owner in the city if council directs a formal approach.

The bulk of the meeting that followed was public comment. Residents and stakeholders were sharply divided. Supporters of allowing those housing types by right said ADUs, duplexes and small multifamily buildings increase the taxable base and provide housing options for families and aging residents. “If we are only allowed with infill to do single family homes, that generates only about…$1,400 in city tax revenue,” developer Alex Alridge said, arguing that duplexes and small multifamily increase revenue per lot.

Speakers raising concerns warned that a move to require council approval for by‑right housing could insert political judgment into routine land use decisions and slow or deter homeowners and small investors. Multiple speakers said they bought property specifically to build ADUs for family use and worry that a special‑use process would create delay, extra cost and potential neighborhood opposition. “If city council blocks the investments that could bring real money for our road repairs, aren’t we just staying stuck in the same infrastructure problems we all want to fix?” resident Marie Blomer asked.

Several commenters referenced the city’s recently adopted comprehensive plan, arguing the plan and its public process already reflected community choices about neighborhood character and infill. Others urged the council to use more targeted measures — for example pre‑approved ADU models — rather than a blanket special‑use requirement.

Council members debated scope. Several councilmembers said the original focus that staff and council discussed in closed sessions was to prevent so‑called housing finance company (HFC) maneuvers that could remove property from the tax rolls through long leases and tax‑exempt arrangements, not to broadly restrict ADUs, manufactured homes or RV parks. Council members asked staff to analyze state law implications and to return with options that would safeguard the city from HFC schemes while limiting unintended impacts on homeowners and small investors.

At the end of the discussion, Councilman Garcia moved to receive the report; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff said they will prepare formal analysis, draft language if warranted, and stakeholder notices for any proposed amendments so the public will have full opportunity to respond before any code change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taylor - City Council - Feb 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public comment on Feb. 27, Taylor City Council asked staff to study whether accessory dwelling units, manufactured homes, recreational vehicle parks or multifamily developments should be handled through special‑use permits rather than allowed automatically under the city’s land development code.","taxTitle","Taylor, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",56865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660210,"Votes at a glance: Feb. 27 Taylor City Council — consent agenda, tourism funding, sewer contract, task orders and reports",4409,1521000,5930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197&start=1521&end=5930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197/thumbnail_1521000.jpg","/articles/6660210/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Feb-27-Taylor-City-Council-consent-agenda-tourism-funding-sewer-contract-task-orders-and-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660210-6556489b177a499849fe0b53323cca35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131423&Signature=b5z70XBcu3LZ2YQSNu9TYtwfovLFI7PIlOA4QnWA6YRj2AEFSkNUIQbsZ3oZuQymbs1IvjUMR2nbol3TKjrR5JfdUUglVTB5jApCj0WrHqmJKLGqrgy1My9TsNS4JAXp~StT9vWOQWd9AwYUcRwS~MKsKrjPs8NkCXrWFFflpvKHcN81WZl9tJoL2W6G1OV5CxPjO7FiuWKO105DoJufRguhJUCGnYKDQspw1YRcO0R4qwlaCZGp51i~SpD3BBjzF9DbPCpyNrueVn3tXq6RPl7H4bSoc9aD2OzhBzl5lgURuoRq-d3BOZ2MwBZew0FAHCaPQGT86PlTc7d~IFQs-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 27 meeting, Taylor City Council took a series of routine and substantive votes. This “votes at a glance” summary lists each formal action taken during the meeting and basic outcome details drawn from the public record.

- Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda (routine, non‑controversial items) by voice vote. Outcome: approved (unanimous by voice). No individual item was pulled for separate action in that vote.

- Receive permit process audit update (Agenda item: permit process audit): Staff reported community and internal survey response counts and a schedule for on‑site fact‑finding meetings. Council voted to receive the update as presented. Outcome: received (voice vote, unanimous).

- Tourism plan additional funding (Agenda item 9): Council approved an additional $19,000 in city HOT funds to expand the tourism plan scope, with a $19,000 match from the Chamber of Commerce. Outcome: approved (vote recorded 4 yes, 1 no). Staff will return with a draft implementation plan and grant criteria linking HOT awards to overnight stays.

- Airport gravity sewer main construction contract (Agenda item 12): Council awarded the construction contract for the airport gravity sewer main to AO Services after a competitive bid process. Staff reported 13 bids and recommended AO Services as the low, responsive bidder; project described as roughly 5,200 linear feet of 24‑inch gravity sewer to replace an airport lift station and enable westside growth. Outcome: contract award approved (voice vote, unanimous). The staff referenced a planned substantial completion timeline of about 15 months after notice to proceed.

- Annual racial profiling report (Agenda item 10): The Taylor Police Department presented the department’s annual report required by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and reported no complaints of racial profiling in 2024. Council received and accepted the report by unanimous vote.

- Boards and commissions appointments (Agenda item 11): Council confirmed multiple appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions across a number of bodies (historic preservation, library advisory board, Main Street/TIF board citizen seats, museum board, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, public arts, TEDC, tree advisory board, zoning board of adjustment). Outcome: appointments approved (majority by voice; where recorded, motions carried as announced). Individual appointments noted in minutes include Josh Ellard to the Historic Preservation Commission and a slate of library and other commission reappointments.

- Task orders with HDR Engineering regarding Samsung oversight (Agenda item 14): After executive session, council approved amendments to task orders related to plan review and inspection services for the Samsung project. Outcome: approved (voice vote, unanimous).

Each of the actions above was taken during the public meeting and is part of the posted agenda. For full vote records and ordinance/resolution texts (where applicable), consult the city clerk’s official minutes and the posted agenda packet.","Taylor City Council approved a set of routine and substantive items on Feb. 27, including the consent agenda, additional HOT funding for an expanded tourism plan, a construction contract for an airport gravity sewer main, acceptance of the annual racial profiling report, appointments to boards and commissions, and amendments to task orders for Samsung oversight.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660218,"Council approves $19,000 additional city contribution to tourism plan; Chamber to match",2724,1762000,4486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197&start=1762&end=4486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197/thumbnail_1762000.jpg","/articles/6660218/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Council-approves-19000-additional-city-contribution-to-tourism-plan-Chamber-to-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660218-149680d0703aa175df19d954d226bbbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131423&Signature=PfLO0oqxIW-PQ-WR-O~7BdDIPKeweSsomS2lRw~nx9GjikHv~CH8UaR7vQ2qdTsw603Rv-iq~99AiNJUcbYO33H6CE3TAlqDsPSiUtDsx-s~x3tTkSlfWWIl8HoJXtsnl-qP2vk6NU9Yb1-La-r2X~OCZB6SstKAIcwSXGc0jSNaIBTs6fn0s01GGrJngkY8JzY93gQhw~mHaipvouHX-0Tr9AcEfYsyacRH~JuoKN-e85jCEzUqmOW7Yu45l4En-C9JDvIE7Tak91CCLO56qv8jGPzZOHxV4c-67YOuWmy-sbJMcYxUIBroieIJnjq7ZNjpcu50U3bmKiFtXYX2Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Taylor City Council approved on Feb. 27 an additional $19,000 from the city’s hotel occupancy tax (HOT) reserves to expand work by Signet Strategies on a tourism plan, with the Taylor Chamber of Commerce committing to match that amount. Council discussion and public comments emphasized downtown visitation, coordinated marketing and use of HOT funds to drive overnight stays.

City staff said the original contract included a $10,000 city contribution and that Signet (the consultant) completed assessments including “secret‑shopping” visits and evaluations of existing marketing channels. Signet Principal Vicky Soderberg told council the project team found duplicative messaging across multiple websites — VisitTaylor, TaylorMade and a downtown shop page — and recommended consolidating visitor information to reduce costs and improve the visitor experience.

Soderberg said the committee expanded the work because the city’s changing hotel inventory and a proposed new hotel meant available HOT funds and marketing needs will evolve over time. The consultant proposed extending the plan to five years to align implementation with new hotel revenues and recommended establishing grant criteria so HOT awards generate overnight stays. “The plan was originally for a 3 year scope ... they kind of decided that it really needed to be a 5 year plan,” Soderberg said.

Council and committee members suggested ideas to increase overnight visitation and downtown foot traffic, including a larger signature event built from Taylor Fest, coordinated Christmas lights and layered visitor experiences so visitors stay overnight and spend locally. Julie Downs of Grande Realty, representing downtown property owners, said vacancies in downtown commercial space rose from about 2,500 square feet to about 25,000 square feet and urged coordinated tourism and downtown marketing to bring shoppers downtown.

Chamber and staff said the city’s HOT reserves are restricted to statutory uses. Staff and consultants cited the “Texas 2‑step” guidance (state HOT rules) that requires a direct benefit to the hotel/convention industry as the first test before other categories of HOT spending may be used. Staff noted that the city currently holds about $200,000 in HOT reserves and that the additional $19,000 requested would come from those funds.

Councilman Garcia moved to approve the additional $19,000; the Chamber will contribute a matching $19,000, staff said. The council vote was recorded as 4 in favor and 1 opposed. Council directed staff and the consultant to continue stakeholder work, refine implementation tasks, and produce an implementation timeline with measurable goals for the draft plan to be presented before budget season.

The consultant will return with a draft implementation plan, recommended grant criteria and measurable goals — such as tracking overnight stays and sales tax — and will help identify baseline metrics for monitoring outcomes.","The council voted to provide an additional $19,000 from hotel occupancy tax (HOT) reserves to expand a consultant tourism plan, with the Taylor Chamber matching that amount. The consultant recommended a five‑year plan, stronger coordination among tourism partners and grant guardrails to link HOT awards to measurable overnight stays.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660222,"Taylor Housing Authority outlines Mary Olson rehab, tenant relocation and $150,000 annual savings",704,421000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197&start=421&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2437804-dd16dc9cc847a8df2c28cf9a477ad197/thumbnail_421000.jpg","/articles/6660222/Taylor/Williamson-County/Texas/Taylor-Housing-Authority-outlines-Mary-Olson-rehab-tenant-relocation-and-150000-annual-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660222-fcfdd2fffa405040bf3d646279dca45d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131423&Signature=W0SxTSCAir4xnjPgy4RIcDPe6mMebu1RxQdDmUGo9Ads6MR2RPF1M5aBTTX7E1HWmM27o1Dn5JbdgOLOnYzaHmDPj-D47EeRURc4~WpfBF~EMvVMaLYqHi7tTwa~5DNAtTMBIWEjnCpVhG8r00jmXK9M0NhlVWdN5rIMr3QaWpBLyJlg~n973wQYs-yIjSCOudF3x-Y67MprqEOwrPzg91PBjq-akMG6lcOWGziYFZX8IuHcTKj-zqAfDomj0AztcRJmC5x626apuId3yHnFTCDkLmPCLsDGytmXL2SeZTP3LooCYGf8IEI5BNeLSMKTDbzPdVDvDX7ARCOUOb6LjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taylor Housing Authority board chair Lisonbee Fox Dahlberg and new Executive Director Shay Gultman updated the Taylor City Council on Feb. 27 about a rehabilitation project at the Mary Olson property, plans to relocate residents temporarily, and steps the authority is taking to reduce operating costs.

Gultman, who said she joined the authority after a 14‑year career in equity and education compliance, told council the authority’s board and staff are focused on HUD compliance and on reviving the authority’s development plans. “We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home,” she said, reciting the housing authority’s revised vision statement.

The authority reported seven buildings at Mary Olson with severely damaged foundations that have left 14 units uninhabitable. Staff said they plan to stabilize soils and rebuild foundations in phases. The authority described a block‑by‑block relocation so tenants move into newly repaired units nearby rather than being displaced out of the neighborhood: “We literally will be bringing in movers, boxing them up, moving them, boom, they go from bed and then they have a bed that night to sleep in in their new home,” Gultman said.

The authority said it has permits in hand for the current phase and is working with a new rapid‑construction contractor. Staff gave a provisional timeline: break ground in early summer, move residents into improved units in the fall, and hope for a ribbon‑cutting in the following spring. For particularly large units (two, three and five bedrooms), the authority said temporary hotel stays paid by the developer are part of the plan when no temporary replacement unit is available.

Gultman also described internal cost reviews that have identified recurring savings. “We have an annual savings of $150,000 that will be annually going forward,” she said, adding that the staff is continuing to scrutinize contracts and subscriptions to find additional reductions.

Council members praised the housing authority’s recent activity and the new executive director’s outreach to residents. Councilman Anderson thanked the board for progress on long‑standing projects and asked about the separate Avery project; Gultman told council work on Avery is ongoing.

The presentation included an updated mission statement and an emphasis on resident services and compliance with HUD rules. The authority said it will survey tenants to determine whether they prefer to remain in new Mary Olson units or pursue Section 8 vouchers and that the developer will cover relocation costs including movers and, if needed, hotel stays for short periods.

The housing authority did not request council action tonight; the presentation was informational. No funding requests or contract approvals were made during the report.

Looking ahead, Gultman said the authority will keep residents informed of the schedule and will invite council to a groundbreaking when dates are set.","The Taylor Housing Authority board and new executive director updated council on a gut‑and‑rebuild of seven deteriorated buildings at the Mary Olson site, a block‑by‑block tenant relocation plan, a goal to break ground in early summer and $150,000 in recurring annual savings from cancelling or renegotiating contracts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to research special‑use permit options for ADUs, manufactured homes and RV parks after extended public comment

Votes at a glance: Feb. 27 Taylor City Council — consent agenda, tourism funding, sewer contract, task orders and reports

Council approves $19,000 additional city contribution to tourism plan; Chamber to match

Taylor Housing Authority outlines Mary Olson rehab, tenant relocation and $150,000 annual savings