[{"_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",6291937,"mediaKeyId","2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d","parentId",2528670,"title","Developer seeks variance to reduce required landscaping for 213 Waller Avenue rebuild","audioSeconds",2205,"startMs",2208000,"endMs",2580,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d&start=2208&end=2","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d/thumbnail_2208000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291937/Brookshire-City/Waller-County/Texas/Developer-seeks-variance-to-reduce-required-landscaping-for-213-Waller-Avenue-rebuild","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291937-44b2e908e9c8eb2fdf24f0e6c48cc2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194684&Signature=KNq85JdGK8W5PmBwC0cu0TLiIrbXR9-60p-oiwFJTrofyDVe8p90ELeBPYQu9pqd-As0~gPm-XY~IssPLDapp0nwx1pZfb7eASQnNNW2c1MBeWKtY3FbmXKSUekBdEuu1d40WCbqj5bbW00X4VqRfX5-IRyW3rQ8XrQ2G8hK71cs3~fv-yT1F7mrfmo1b7ahL4Us8QhbmTNKqAhFc4CDlHooX8E6FaUVDPmK83rOxlVVZn~1aVaN1EDSx3H87tdWNfL5ymXmkA2dY0T~IPEeEywfes2nQk~-yjCgoejmuEBHj03-p3sUOmxrg7NFldRlD~GGdCLbmJRnoVu9OwQ2WQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Brookshire, Texas","date","2025-03-07T13:48:41Z","article","A developer seeking to replace a rundown truck-stop site opposite the Flying J at 213 Waller Avenue asked the Brookshire City Council for a variance from the city's 15% open-space/landscaping requirement, saying the rebuilt site can accommodate about 9% landscaping.

The applicant, who identified herself as Shannon O’Hara, said the project would demolish the existing facility and construct a roughly 7,500-square-foot building with a truck-stop convenience store on the ground floor and motel units above. O’Hara said existing site constraints limit the feasible landscaped area to about 9% and that the architect recommended not adding fences so the site reads as open space. O’Hara said the parcel is about two acres (the applicant stated roughly 90,000 square feet) and that 9% would equate to roughly 9,000 square feet of landscaping.

City staff and council discussed the new city code requirement calling for 15% landscaped open space when remodeling or rebuilding a site. The staff noted the ordinance requires bringing remodeled properties into current code standards. The applicant requested forgiveness of the additional 6% to allow redevelopment consistent with the current built pattern; she also said the current site has no landscaping and that the new proposal would add bushes and small trees where feasible.

The meeting transcript records questions and clarifications from council and staff but does not record a final vote or formal action on the variance during that session. Council members asked for specifics about what landscaping could be achieved and confirmed the request did not involve changes to the roadway. The item remained a discussion-and-possible-action item at the end of the transcript segment provided.

Why it matters: the decision will determine whether a redevelopment can proceed without meeting the full 15% landscaping threshold; the variance could affect site appearance and local code enforcement precedents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/6/2025 - 7:00PM - City of Brookshire Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A developer asked the Brookshire City Council for a variance to reduce the required 15% landscaping to about 9% for a rebuild at 213 Waller Avenue; no formal vote on the variance is recorded in the meeting transcript.","taxTitle","Brookshire City, Waller County, Texas","taxId",54098,"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},6291942,"Residents press council over Jeremiah Hill arrest and police conduct during public comment",149,181000,330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d&start=181&end=330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6291942/Brookshire-City/Waller-County/Texas/Residents-press-council-over-Jeremiah-Hill-arrest-and-police-conduct-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291942-38fdc796650d5cfaf52f9eed40ddb2a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194684&Signature=buGfQ8ZQ5Hj-vEqiOmECm6mvNTUdJQ0~SRacHJyMsjD209d9TF6HeY3UV072XINGYTSht2AgIGmoLlstjI85dUZxOSkmkOyNbRfUkMfl75NsutRPwXK-py9a6KXmBMx1bbLqUrJfoUgNB0XCUlqAB1Kg-nsF3xYJ38hoOxebDeezVrPYyP2XtynwF6l8XShIJJX8ggU-VZaoT5otaROJ3nxz22YNtiSOodR9pPOOM4RZQ4KVaOwtcANeApAh5OwLvPnG3vzalVNszyvhMKYx9IJ1Wrr57IHJvA4GUL6bXFnQ1NMqpv-zS5cPNJQ7vb6DQytuwdpn7UEJO5vxvsNnXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public comment at the March 2025 Brookshire City Council meeting included allegations from residents about conduct surrounding Jeremiah Hill and questions about actions by the Brookshire Police Department.

A public commenter identified in the record as Michael alleged that Hill either was arrested or turned himself in and accused the city of favoritism in how the situation was handled. The commenter asked why Hill, who the speaker said had written checks “for personal use off the city of Brookshire,” would be taken to Fort Bend County rather than Waller County and asked the council to investigate. The commenter said, “If we do find this true, I personally don't want a police chief like that working for the city of Brookshire. I strongly urge y'all to investigate him. And if it is true, let's get this corruption out of Brookshire. I'm tired of it.”

At the meeting a speaker interjected that there was \"absolutely no truth to that,\" and the council moved on to the next speaker. The council did not take any formal action on the allegation during the meeting.

During the same comment period a resident, Kim Davis, addressed the council in support of the city’s actions regarding Hill: “I just wanted to say personally, I commend the council for doing their job and bringing just, Jeremiah Hill to justice. We all needed that from the city of Brookshire.”

Why it matters: public commenters raised concerns about potential misconduct and asked the council to investigate. The council did not open a formal investigation or take action on the floor during that meeting; any follow-up would depend on staff or future agenda items.","During public comment residents accused former or pending employee Jeremiah Hill of writing checks and asked the council to investigate whether Brookshire Police Chief Hines took Hill to Fort Bend County to turn himself in. Council did not take action on the allegation at the meeting.",{"_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},6291947,"Brookshire council approves consent items, removes frosted office windows, appoints EDC member and approves speed-bump plan",584,1528000,2112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d&start=1528&end=2112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d/thumbnail_1528000.jpg","/articles/6291947/Brookshire-City/Waller-County/Texas/Brookshire-council-approves-consent-items-removes-frosted-office-windows-appoints-EDC-member-and-approves-speed-bump-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291947-3364facf017ee6ab04700b07f78a962e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194684&Signature=VG7POoeNSbTBcl8sgdaxXEedpHQbwJg-KWGRBXZfRJJBj5U3RISfgdjp4Dc4GYaKR5zQcFUGLsyd0X4x6stwGiRo5NpdgdmxkXF4zFXe~BU-L0XBra2tvFxR3C8VQRHBk7LgqXJ5aqpdiw1Hz396akNZmi7tzNQqGUKMMm9clqnCKIUjk0U38OFj4ZQQd6tYjZO6woolUVn7f-jZPWYhKj5PcfbvqUNLQz0r8JoXQzJ-~oQrba1u49dRvn3QENJ-xFICwdEpQuBodlfMxzGfE-3rvWtzO0WfW8oNeYdJpqd5GCE~v80c9hzjtZ62iulh6iUTKBOd0JcF1bphifoMKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brookshire City Council approved several routine and operational items during its March 2025 meeting, including the consent agenda, removal of frosted internal window film in the front offices, appointment to the economic development corporation (EDC) and a plan for speed bumps and signs near a church on South Street.

On the consent agenda the council approved the minutes of the February 2025 regular meeting and accepted a bank account balance report from New First Bank. The consent items were adopted by motion and second and approved in one action.

Councilmembers then approved a motion to remove frosted tint from the front-office windows (the municipal court’s front counter area was excluded; court offices retaining tint were discussed as necessary for records privacy). The council approved the action by voice/show of hands.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Richards recommended appointing Michael Kosar to a vacant EDC seat; the council seconded the nomination and approved the appointment by voice vote.

Councilmembers also approved placing rubber speed bumps and new signage near a church on South Street to address pedestrian traffic on Sundays. The council discussed a rubber-style bump option that staff said would be easier to drive over and less likely to damage vehicles.

These items were treated as routine municipal business and carried by the council during the same meeting that addressed larger items.","At the March 2025 meeting the Brookshire City Council approved the consent agenda, voted to remove frosted tint from front office windows, appointed Michael Kosar to a vacant EDC seat, and approved rubber speed bumps and church signage on South Street.",{"_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},6291952,"Brookshire council approves 10-year tax abatement for Empire West/Tesla project after public hearing",1072,422000,1494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d&start=422&end=1494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528670-331577f44d81eee16861689c760f240d/thumbnail_422000.jpg","/articles/6291952/Brookshire-City/Waller-County/Texas/Brookshire-council-approves-10-year-tax-abatement-for-Empire-WestTesla-project-after-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291952-254d25381d6a70a9461ab0a0b33697bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194684&Signature=by0evwsI8HyWWc3CRwBBi-SQBd2RUMTu8yEJjoZzv~jsysaX-75lzayK42QH-zLxkIITLz5RgIkff~ke3zUZ0a7b5SyvQ-oaDgWjFF7T-dyBESPm3jV1qbjREBfj1bEW-zcctF4664J1Ff5Xg~2XQbxFCEaADxvIJVFfurUDjle9BWenuNc6iMvClUvEXGRhbT2xgn~pYnfsjsmGqzHjUsfS9jUL-0W9pQn4x6Om7t-Vt5hVWz5iHBeg7822e8VFeb3Han~u7rhXhqh3jezbq33eD-bfJbA2eN9tivW6mpfwhgWVH3YuDb4CDWbCYIMfKKdBhYXkOW49a0HhQHcFYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brookshire City Council on a March 2025 regular meeting approved a 10-year tax abatement agreement with SRP Empire West Phase 2 and Tesla Inc., a measure the council passed by a 3-2 vote after a required public hearing.

City staff described the agreement as a 10-year abatement that applies only to improvements (the facility/buildings) and not to land, business inventory or other personal property. Staff said the abatement structure would reduce taxable value of improvements by 60% for the first 10 years, with the city retaining 40% of ad valorem taxes on those improvements during the abatement period. Staff also said the company committed to a large, taxable inventory figure referenced in the hearing as $300,000,000. Staff noted exact dollar figures for projected tax revenue were not available at the hearing.

At the public hearing, company representatives described the planned facility as a large advanced-manufacturing plant modeled on their Lathrop site. A Tesla representative said, “This facility will enable 1,500 advanced manufacturing jobs in this community.” The presenters said about 70% of those jobs would be production associates, 20% technicians, roughly 5% engineers and about 4% managers. They also described local internship and high-school outreach programs and said the construction phase would involve additional local hires (the representative cited about 205 people for construction roles).

Staff emphasized that the abatement applies only to improvements; land, inventory and personal property would remain taxable. A staff member told the council the city would retain 40% of the ad valorem taxes tied to the new improvements during the 10-year period. The staff member said the agreement mirrors the terms considered by the county commissioners earlier.

During the hearing some residents asked about local hiring and tax details. Resident Ruth Rodriguez said she and other long-time residents “would appreciate your patience and opportunity to work for you and show what we can do for you.” Company representatives said they have standard recruiting processes and cited examples of workforce programs used at other sites, including internships and high-school partnerships.

The council then took the item up for action. A motion “to approve the tax abatement agreement as presented” was made and seconded; council members recorded a 3-2 vote in favor, and the motion passed. The transcript records the final tally as “3 of 2.” The meeting record did not provide a full roll-call list of how each member voted at the public mic during the roll call; the motion’s maker and seconder were spoken during the vote sequence but the public minutes did not contain a complete named roll-call record tied to each vote.

Why it matters: the agreement reduces property tax revenue on the new facility for a decade in exchange for the company locating a large manufacturing operation in Brookshire. City officials and residents will likely monitor subsequent site, hiring and tax details as the project moves forward.

The council closed the item after the vote and moved on to subsequent business.","The Brookshire City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement for SRP Empire West Phase 2 and Tesla Inc. after a public hearing where company representatives described plans for a factory that they said would create about 1,500 jobs. The vote passed 3-2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Developer seeks variance to reduce required landscaping for 213 Waller Avenue rebuild

Residents press council over Jeremiah Hill arrest and police conduct during public comment

Brookshire council approves consent items, removes frosted office windows, appoints EDC member and approves speed-bump plan

Brookshire council approves 10-year tax abatement for Empire West/Tesla project after public hearing