Prior to the City Council Meeting, Councilmembers had the opportunity to have a first look at Lockhart Fire/Rescue’s new Engine No. 1. The new fire pumper will be dedicated in a “push-in” ceremony on Friday, November 5, at 11 a.m. before it’s placed into service.

Personal Protective Equipment cost-share grants for the fire department, ordinances regarding impounded animals and animal limitations, four zoning change requests, downtown revitalization open house, a TxDOT grant update, and a generous gift from a Lockhart citizen were some of the items discussed in last night’s City Council Meeting.

Personal Protective Equipment for Lockhart Fire/Rescue: City Council accepted the $20,000 cost-share reimbursement grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The grant will allow Lockhart Fire/Rescue to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) like helmets, coats, pants, boots, hoods, and accessories.

Impounded Animal Ownership Ordinance: Councilmembers approved the amendments to the Impounded Animal Ownership Ordinance. The amended ordinance also added a definition for “Business Day:” a day when the animal shelter is regularly scheduled to be open to the public. With that definition in mind, the ordinance now states:

1. “Unowned” animals—or strays—shall be impounded no less than three business days.
2. “Owned” animals—where the animal’s owner has been identified through licenses, microchips, tags, tattoos, and known owner addresses—shall be impounded no less than five business days.
3. Time of impoundment begins and calculated from when the animal is brought in.
4. Once the applicable number of business days expires for the animal, the ownership of the animal passes on to the City.

Animal Limitations Ordinance: The proposed ordinance was tabled and the City Council directed City Staff to reexamine the proposed animal limitation ordinance. Additional areas to consider address exceeding the proposed pet limit due to an existing pet giving birth to a litter, animal fosters, and a potential requirement for pet owners to spay or neuter their animals upon application for a multi-pet permit.  

Zoning Change Requests: City Council approved the following zoning cases:

• Javier Barajas’ zoning change request—on behalf of 900 Lockhart LLC and Anil Chaudhary--for a 41-acre property at 900 State Park Road. The change from Commercial Light Business District, Residential Low Density District, and Agricultural-Open Space District into a Residential Medium and Residential Light District would allow for single-family homes, duplexes, and other types of housing to be built on the property.
• Before approval, Councilmembers modified David Mendoza’s zoning change request—on behalf of American Legion—to Commercial Medium Business for a 0.73-acre property on 509 Silent Valley Rd. (FM-2001) to allow for a restaurant and dance hall. Initially, the applicant requested for the property to be rezoned from a Manufactured Home into a Commercial Heavy Business designation.
• Jason and Clayton Balser’s zoning change request on 40-acre property at 1107 Silent Valley Rd. (FM 2001) from Agricultural Open and Residential Low Density to Residential Medium Density to build a combination of duplexes and single-family homes.
• Alan Balser’s zoning change request from Agricultural Open to Residential Medium Density for a 50.77-acre property on 1900 N. Cesar Chavez Pkwy on SH-130 to allow for patio homes, town homes, and duplexes.

City Manager’s Report:

• TxDOT Grant Update: The City of Lockhart was not selected for TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant funding this year. The $1.8 million grant application was intended to help fund sidewalk improvements on E. San Antonio St. (SH-142), north of the Courthouse square, along with improving pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety in the area and realign the travel lanes. TxDOT is in contact with City Staff to schedule a debriefing on how we can improve.
• Downtown Revitalization Project Open House: The first open house for the Downtown Revitalization Project is Monday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at the First Lockhart Baptist Church Connections Center (200 S. Blanco St.). At the event, the City’s consultants, TRC Engineering and Rialto Studio, will present different conceptual design alternatives for the project. The Downtown Revitalization project focuses on the nine-block area around the Caldwell County Courthouse, which will include proposed upgrades on utilities, drainage, streetscape, parking, hardscape, pedestrian access, and landscaping in the downtown area.
• Clark Portrait Restoration: The Dr. Eugene Clark Portrait is being restored thanks to a Lockhart citizen and library supporter.