A parcel of land in the 300 block of FM 45 in Brownwood is being considered for rezoning with hopes of bringing more industrial jobs to the area.

During Tuesday’s Brownwood City Council meeting, an ordinance was approved on first reading which will change the L-shaped 80+ acre parcel of land from C-1 Local Business District to M-1 Restricted Industrial District.  According to Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce CEO and Industrial Foundation Manager Laura Terhune, the consideration is the first step in getting this land developed and creating more jobs and industrial products in Brownwood.

“This 82 acres between the two Kohler sites, it fronts FM 45 and Albert Sydney Johnston Drive and Milam Drive on the back,” said Terhune.  “I don’t know why it was zoned commercial because we are the Industrial Foundation, and it was generally intended to be a manufacturing site.  We have prospects from time to time about that property.  Generally they are interested in manufacturing plants.”

Terhune explained that the Industrial Foundation is currently leasing the property to a prospect who is “doing some due diligence” to see if the property will work for their endeavors.  Brownwood Economic Development Director Emily Crawford added that this site is the only site that has infrastructure of highway frontage and railway access which is most important to this particular prospect.

The property needs to be zoned industrial for the prospect to continue with their pursuit of acquiring this property for their manufacturing business.

Property owner Betty Qualls addressed the council as a residential property owner regarding her worries of what this zoning will do to her property’s appeal and privacy.  Qualls’ property is located in the 400 block of FM 45.

“I’m very negative toward this because it is at my front door.  3M built to the back and Kohler over here.  You can’t beat the city, you have to go along with it, but I’d like to give my opinion, and see how it is going to affect my future.” said Qualls.

Mayor Stephen Haynes then invited Qualls to stop by his office anytime so that he could explain possible plans for development of the property and the more details of what ramifications that it could have on her and her property.

“One of the things that is always difficult in city governing is that sometimes we have to make decisions about what is best for the public at large, as opposed to individuals and that is never fun.  It is not aimed at you individually, but we have to look at job creation and what would be in the best interest for the largest group of our citizens that we represent,” said Haynes.  “And that is certainly no slight to you and doesn’t mean that we certainly don’t have the world of respect for you.  We want to hear your voice and see what we can do to accommodate you.”

Haynes also reminded Qualls and the others in attendance that this ordinance was passed on first reading only and would have to be passed on second and third/final readings at the next meeting in December.

According to a briefing sheet regarding the rezoning, this request is located within a portion designated as “Industrial” on the City of Brownwood’s 1989-2010 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map.  The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the rezoning request at their November 1, 2012 meeting.

In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:

*An ordinance was approved on second and third/final readings for a change in zoning classification of Block 45, lots 1-10 of the  Brownwood Heights Addition being  1.2609 acres, known as 2707 Hillsboro Avenue and 901 Spruce Street from MH Manufactured/Mobile Home District, to A-1 Agricultural District.

*An ordinance was approved on second and third/final readings for a change in zoning classification of Block 4, lots 1-6 of the Daisy Addition, being 1.2561 acres, known as 304 Bailey Street from R-3 Multi Family Residential District, to A-1 Agricultural District.

*An ordinance was approved on second and third/final readings for a change in zoning classification of Block 10, lots 14-18, part of Lots 13 & 19, and Block 17 part of lot 1, of the Morningside Addition, being 3.831 acres, known as 1312 and 1314 Willis Street, from R-1 Single Family Residential District, and R-3 Multi Family Residential District to RR-Rural Residential District.

*An ordinance was approved on second and third/final readings for a change in zoning classification for part of Outlot 406, being 1.0 acre, known as 609 Idlewild Street from R-1 Single Family Residential District to A-1 Agriculture District.

*An ordinance was approved on second and third/final readings for a change in zoning classification for part of Outlot 406 being 2.0 acres, known as 611 Idlewild Street, from R-1 Single Family Residential District to A-1 Agricultural District.