Hotel proposed near airport
Residents worried a new apartment building could erase the past in their neighborhood lodged their concerns this past week with City Council.
While the Planning and Zoning Commission has ruled against approving a specialuse permit for the development, the council Thursday gave the green light for another look at the complex down the road, potentially clearing the way for the project.
Also on Thursday, the members on the dais held a public hearing for a proposed hotel near the Taylor Municipal Airport and gave the OK for a Taylor Police Department strategic plan.
Apartment building moves forward
Residents and property owners who have attended council and P&Z meetings to protest a threestory apartment building planned for the corner of Third and Victoria streets reminded city leaders of their concerns May 28.
Council members, however, gave city staffers no direction for changes, so the developer’s special-use permit application will have a second reading at a future meeting.
Second readings are frequently included on the consent agenda and are often approved without further discussion.
Owner HJD Rehab LLC wants to build a 21-unit apartment building on a lot spanning 1019 and 1021 W. Third St., which is less than an acre.
Margaret Williams, who owns property across from the proposed building, told council that a vote to approve the project in its current form would be a “slap in the face” to the established homeowners.
“In my opinion, the past should not be erased to move into the future. This has been a quiet neighborhood for decades and we want to see something that enhances and improves and not destroy the feel of the neighborhood,” Williams said.
A resident of Victoria Street spoke about the obsolete and problematic infrastructure in the older neighborhood and the potential effect of highdensity in-fill development in the area.
Sunshine Kapus of the Sunrise Development Group reminded the council that current city ordinances would allow the development of an apartment building up to five stories that completely covered the property and provided no off-street parking.
She said limiting the building to three stories and including a parking lot meant meeting the community in the middle.
In June 2025, the city adopted an ordinance that required apartment buildings to apply for a special-use permit.
Councilwoman Heather Long said the reason for the SUP originally was to prevent special financing agencies such as housing finance corporations from taking property off the city tax rolls. She voiced concerns about using the SUP to deny an application for other reasons.
After a May 12 public hearing, the P&Z Commission voted against recommending approval of the ordinance.
New hotel in planning stages
A 120-room hotel and 8,000 square feet of retail space have been proposed for a 7.8-acre lot less than a mile north of the city airport. The application for a development plan was first submitted June 3, 2025, and a public hearing was conducted at Thursday’s meeting.
Property owner KMV Holdings LLC has also proposed adding a 120unit apartment building to the site, but notes that would require a specialuse permit approved by the council.
If the permit is not approved, the developer is considering adding additional retail and storage units.
“The developer doesn’t really want to do those. He wants to do multifamily, but that will be contingent on further approvals by the city,” said John Noell, an engineer representing the developer. About one acre of civic space has been proposed, which would include a small conference hall, a private swimming pool for hotel guests and residents and pockets of green space with amenities including a small walking trail.
The council did not have any suggested changes for the development.
A second reading of the ordinance will be scheduled for a future session.
Chief updates department practices
Police Chief Joseph Chacon received approval from the council to enter into a contract for the development of a strategic plan and for an external audit of the department’s evidence and property room.
The professional services agreement with Omni Tech International will create both shortterm and long-term directions for the department and ensure the force is aligned with current practices in policing and governance.
The cost cannot exceed $14,400.
“Just looking at the Police Department as I’ve come on board, I’m not sure the Police Department has ever had a strategic plan before,” said Chacon, who became chief in March. “It’s needed to identify longterm strategic planning ... and developing long- and short-term visions for the department in order to meet our community’s expectations.”
For the evidence and property room audit, Chacon is contracting with Linda Roberts Consultant LLC for a cost of $3,599.
Regular audits are necessary to maintain accreditation for the department, and occasional use of an outside agency helps ensure the department is up to date on the industry’s best practices, according to the chief.
He said external audits also help reduce liability risk.
Evidence rooms can become overcrowded and knowing when to destroy evidence or what items need to be kept indefinitely is an important part of what the consultant will be helping the department with, the council heard.
Funding for the measures is coming from savings due to vacancies in the department.
