Melissa could begin billing drainage charges if the City Council creates a municipal drainage utility at its Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting.
The regular agenda, posted Oct. 6, lists an ordinance adding a Municipal Drainage Utility System to Chapter 11 of the city code, under Chapter 552, Subchapter C, of the Texas Local Government Code. The ordinance would declare the city's drainage a public utility and set out drainage service, billing procedures, exemptions, drainage charges, appeals and enforcement, with a maximum fine of $500 for violations.
The posted agenda does not say what the charge would be or which properties would be exempt. The ordinance text was not attached to the agenda posted online.
Borrowing notice
The next item asks the council to direct publication of a notice of intention to issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation for park, public safety and public works projects. Certificates of obligation are a form of city debt that can be issued without a bond election. The agenda does not list a dollar amount or the specific projects.
Land and zoning
Three land items are also on the agenda:
- U.S. 75 and Throckmorton Road: a public hearing on annexing 23.262 acres at the northeast corner, at the landowner's request, followed by a request to rezone 47.784 acres there from agricultural to a planned development based on general commercial zoning inside the city's Commercial Corridor Overlay.
- East Melissa Road near Bryant Street: a request to change 18.237 acres from a multifamily planned development to a mix of restricted commercial and townhomes. A Sept. 10 staff report to the Planning and Zoning Commission described commercial frontage along East Melissa Road and a townhome community with open space, amenities and a community center, capped at 8.33 units per acre and no more than 150 homes. The developer is asking for smaller lot areas, shallower lots and reduced setbacks. The site's current multifamily zoning dates to a 2022 ordinance; staff called the land-use question a policy decision for elected officials.
- Vineyard Hills Estates: a public hearing on the assessment plan and assessment roll for Phase 1 of the Vineyard Hills Estates Public Improvement District, which would levy special assessments and liens on property in that phase.
