Bryan City Council Approves Rezone for 150 New Apartments Amid Mixed Reactions

Bryan City Council Votes to Rezone Property for New Apartments

In a recent city council meeting, Bryan took an exciting step towards expanding its housing options. The council voted 4-3 to rezone a commercial property located just north of the Premiere movie complex, paving the way for the construction of 150 new apartments. This development is expected to enhance the community and provide more living spaces for residents.

Support & Concerns from Council Members

The meeting featured lively discussions, with four council members expressing their support for the rezoning. Among them were Mayor Bobby Gutierrez and Councilman James Edge, who took a moment to appreciate the applicant’s modifications to the plan. Initially, the proposal included three-bedroom units, but the applicant decided to drop those plans. In a noteworthy gesture to improve the development’s appeal, they agreed to construct a six-foot tall brick wall around the property, providing more privacy for future residents.

On the other side of the discussion, council members Jared Salvato and Kevin Boriskie voiced their opposition. They raised concerns about preserving the limited number of retail spaces available along the freeway, emphasizing the importance of keeping those areas viable for businesses. Their perspective highlighted the balancing act the council faces between accommodating new housing and sustaining local commerce.

Interestingly, three council members—including Ray Arrington and Marca Ewers-Shurtleff—remained mostly silent during the discussions, opting to express their stance with their votes rather than their words. Paul Torres was the lone voice against the rezoning, showcasing the varied opinions within the council.

Brazos County Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Unanimously Approved

Brazos County Commissioners gathered to finalize the fiscal year 2025 budget. They unanimously approved several additions, including a part-time position at the veterans service office. Duane Peters, who spearheaded this initiative, pointed out that the county is home to over 9,000 veterans, including 3,800 affiliated with Texas A&M. Peters is also working on establishing a satellite office on the university campus to better serve these veterans.

The cost for the new position’s salary and benefits totals $32,308, an investment the county views as essential for better supporting its veteran population.

Pay Raises for Constable Deputies Approved

Additionally, Commissioner Nancy Berry presented a proposal for pay raises for 23 county employees, primarily focusing on constable deputies and chief deputies. This increase aimed to align deputy salaries more appropriately with their responsibilities, with individual pay hikes ranging from $9 to a whopping $7,988.

In approval, the commissioners set a maximum salary of $82,500 for deputy constables and $92,500 for chief deputy constables. Furthermore, the salary of the district attorney’s administrative assistant was raised by $7,610, reflecting efforts to maintain competitive wages across the county. The overall cost of these salary increases adds up to $109,822.

Bryan ISD Expands Pre-K Opportunities

Bryan ISD board members responded positively to the administration’s proposal to expand pre-kindergarten instruction to qualifying child care centers across Brazos and Robertson counties. According to Jennifer Warren, the district’s special programs director, this initiative could benefit up to 440 three and four-year-olds.

Under this plan, four-year-olds will receive a full day of education while three-year-olds will have three hours of instruction each day. This partnership, involving Texas A&M and various Texas state agencies, will also secure additional funding for the school district, which will be shared with the participating child care centers.

Stay Informed About Local Changes

With these developments, Bryan is showcasing a commitment to improving housing, public services, and educational opportunities for its residents. The community is encouraged to stay engaged and informed about these important changes that directly affect their lives.