Eagle Pass City Council Discusses Master Comprehensive Development Plan
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council held a lively discussion regarding the new City Master Comprehensive Development Plan at its regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017.
The City Council held a Workshop on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the City International Center for Trade to discuss with their newly hired consulting firm of EMC Strategy Group, LLC and local businesses, owners, and stakeholders the development of a new Master Comprehensive Development Plan.
At their June 6th regular meeting, the Eagle Pass City Council and City Manager Arturo B. Rodriguez had an animated discussion concerning this new Master Comprehensive Development Plan.
City Manager Arturo B. Rodriguez stated the May 25th Workshop had been successful and many local businesses, citizens, and stakeholders participated in and enrolled as members of the City’s Master Comprehensive Development Committee. Rodriguez noted that he had a list of over 65 individuals or businesses who expressed interest in volunteering on this important committee and that any local citizen or stakeholder interested in participating may still do so by contacting him at City Hall, located at 100 S. Monroe Street, (830) 773-1111.
Rodriguez reported to City Council that he had had a very successful visit to Washington, D. C. with various Congressional representatives and federal agencies to expose and request the economic development needs of the City of Eagle Pass.
Rodriguez noted that one of his requests is to develop a Free Trade Zone within the City of Eagle Pass as a vital economic development Initiative. Rodriguez added that he will need input from local stakeholders on where to place this Free Trade Zone and what are the requirements needed for getting it established.
Rodriguez stated that he discussed the Free Trade Zone with federal representatives during his Washington, D.C. trip as well as with the City’s Financial Advisors in Dallas, Texas. He added that he currently has three to four economic development initiatives for Eagle Pass.
Mayor Pro-Tem Yolanda P. Ramon stated that she would like to see the downtown Eagle Pass area be developed into a Las Vegas-style entertainment district. Rodriguez replied that Eagle Pass Main Street Program Director Joe Cruz and him are working together in developing the downtown area and seeking grants to develop downtown. Rodriguez noted that Joe Cruz is working with downtown merchants in getting their businesses remodeled through the Main Street Program. Rodriguez stated that one idea being explored is to build residential lofts in the downtown buildings, attracting residents, visitors, and economic development activities downtown.
Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated that economic development comes with a price tag. Cantu noted that grants cover some of the costs, but today they do not cover all of the costs of economic development.
Mayor Pro-Tem Yolanda P. Ramon raised the issue that there are many complaints that there are too many mobile food vendors and/or taco carts within the City limits. Ramon questioned whether these mobile food vendors are paying property taxes, sales taxes, and license fees to the City of Eagle Pass.
Councilmember Rudy Villalpando noted that in some cities in Texas, food trucks are being promoted as a tourism attraction and economic development issue. Villalpando stated that a Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico businessman expressed interest in the City of Eagle Pass developing a third international bridge that will be needed within 10-20 years from now.
Mayor Cantu added that maybe the third international bridge may be needed now, but definitely the City of Eagle Pass will start seeing more movement on the third international bridge issue.
Villalpando added that the Mexican neighbors in Piedras Negras, Coahuila don’t have any problems in obtaining the necessary federal and state permits to develop and build the third international bridge, implying that it is the American authorities that take long to approve the permit for a third international bridge.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ramon raised the issue if the City of Eagle Pass has the necessary water supply for the projected boom in oil and gas drilling in the area. Eagle Pass Water Works System General Manager Jorge Barrera replied that the City of Eagle Pass has enough water supply to meet the growing demand from businesses and citizens in the future, including purchasing additional water rights.
Ramon added that the citizens of Eagle Pass want to know and are concerned that all this Master Comprehensive Development Plan is not just “all talk and do nothing.”
Mayor Cantu jumped in and stated that the Master Comprehensive Development Plan is not “all talk and do nothing,” but rather the City is already moving in the right direction.
Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez raised the issue that there are areas within the City of Eagle Pass do not have access to the Internet, recommending that the City include technological planning in the master plan.
City Manager Rodriguez questioned why does the City of Eagle Pass still uses wooden electricity/light poles for subdivisions instead of the newer decorative aluminum poles available. Rodriguez stated that the City Ordinances need to be amended and upgraded to change this use.
Councilman Villalpando noted that the City must develop wider thoroughfares (streets) to handle the increased vehicular traffic due to growth.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ramon stated that during a recent trip to San Antonio, she observed a new real estate development project or subdivision being built on US Highway 57 South immediately outside the City limits and questioned if this development had already been approved by the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
City Planner Vanessa Rosales-Herrera replied that this particular real estate development project is 57 Industrial Park Unit 2, but that the developer had not approached the City for approval before commencing the project and was in violation of the City’s extra-territorial jurisdiction and planning and zoning regulations and laws. She noted that the County of Maverick, who has final approval of all subdivisions within the county, notified this real estate developer that they were in non-compliance with subdivision rules and regulations. She added that the City of Eagle Pass also advised the real estate developer that they are in non-compliance with the City’s five mile extra-territorial jurisdiction and planning and zoning regulations.
City Manager Rodriguez stated that most Texas cities have a three mile extra-territorial jurisdiction outside the City limits, but that Eagle Pass actually has a five mile extra-territorial jurisdiction and most real estate developers are unaware of this.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ramon raised whether the City of Eagle Pass has a master plan on future development along Loop 480. Vanessa Rosales-Herrera replied that the City does have a plan, but that the plan is outdated and that’s why the City Council hired this new firm, EMC Strategy Group, LLC, to assist with the development of a new master plan.
Ramon also questioned why were there too many 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailers parked along Veterans Boulevard near the former Danny’s Restaurant. Vanessa Rosales-Herrera replied that the property owner was in non-compliance with the City ordinance because they did not have a paved parking lot for these 18 Wheelers and the City is drafting a Violation letter to the property owner.
Mayor Cantu raised if the City had had any voluntary annexations. City Attorney Heriberto Morales of Langley & Banack stated that the City’s voluntary annexation plan had been stopped by the previous administration and legal counsel would need authorization from City Council to proceed with voluntary annexation.
City Manager Rodriguez replied that he is already reviewing about 250 acres that the City of Eagle Pass can annex in the future. Mayor Cantu noted there is a limit of land that the City can annex each year. City Attorney Heriberto Morales noted the City is limited to 10 percent of land of what the city has now within its city limits.
Mayor Pro-Tem Ramon raised whether the City has an ordinance against junk cars within the city limits. She noted one property that has several junk cars with “their hoods popped open.” City Attorney Morales replied that the City does have an existing ordinance against junked cars and it is up to Code Enforcement to enforce it. Morales added that he is ready to prosecute local property owners with junked cars on their lots.
Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez stated she wanted to see the City of Eagle Pass to be pro-active with economic development and the master plan.
