The City of Palestine Planning and Zoning Commission convened on January 2, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, primarily focusing on proposed amendments to hotel use requirements in the city.

The meeting commenced with the approval of a previous item aimed at encouraging development in the area. Following this, the commission opened a public hearing to consider amendments to Chapter 39, Section 39.2, which pertains to supplementary use requirements for hotels. This discussion was prompted by a previous meeting in August 2024, where the commission had approved a change to the definition of hotels, splitting it into limited service and full-service categories. However, they requested further revisions to the use requirements, specifically to remove facade requirements and introduce a grandfather clause for existing properties.

Cassie Hamm, the city’s tourism manager, presented the proposed changes, emphasizing the need for future hotel developments to include meeting spaces. This requirement is seen as essential for accommodating community needs and attracting visitors. Hamm noted that the updated proposal included additional room requirements that were not present in the initial document.

Support for the amendments was voiced by Peter Patel, owner of the La Quinta Inn and Suites, who highlighted the importance of guiding growth in the lodging industry to meet community demands. He expressed gratitude for the commission's efforts and acknowledged the challenges of attending such meetings.

After the public hearing, the commission moved to discuss the proposed changes further. A motion was made and seconded in favor of the amendments, leading to a brief discussion among the members. Questions arose regarding the basis of the proposed requirements, with confirmation that the language was adapted from successful ordinances in other Texas communities, such as Greenville and Conroe.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of the changes to better serve the community's needs and support future hotel developments in Palestine. The commission's next steps will involve forwarding the approved amendments to the city council for final consideration.