Briefs: New Baytown assistant city manager appointed

Baytown Council has approved the hiring of a new assistant city manager for Baytown. City Manager Rick Davis said after an extensive search, he was proud to recommend Jason Reynolds. 

“Jason has graciously accepted the opportunity to serve as assistant city manager, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to you,” Davis said. 

Reynolds recently served as the Administrative Services Director in Mont Belvieu. 

Council approves agreement for annexation 

After holding a public hearing, council approved an agreement for a proposed annexation of about 62.02 acres of land east of North Main Street between East Wallisville Road and FM 1942.

Castle Rock Communities requested the annexation to add more single-family detached homes to the Bay Creek subdivision.

Martin Scribner, Baytown planning director, said council approved a resolution in June granting a petition for the annexation, and directed staff to create a service plan. About 71 acres south of the property were annexed in June 2021 and rezoned to allow for the development of the Bay Creek subdivision. The application to annex the 62 acres is to add more lots to the development. 

Tourism agreement approved 

Council has signed off on an Economic Development Agreement for Tourism and Promotion Services with the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. The agreement aims to promote and enhance tourism and promote the soon-to-be-built Hyatt Regency hotel and convention center on Bayland Island. It will also cover Baytown, the surrounding areas and the San Jacinto Texas Historic District.

With the agreement, the Economic Alliance will establish an ongoing program to develop quality prospect leads focusing on targeted industries with importance to Baytown. They will also take on workforce analyses for current data targeting prospective industries. The Alliance will also interact with officials on federal, state and local levels and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce and location organizations regularly.  

Other duties include providing economic and business information to Baytown on at least an annual basis. They will also interact with the Texas Department of Economic Development on behalf of Baytown and other economic development groups for economic business-related data. Small and disadvantaged businesses will receive assistance in developing. 

The services will cost up to $10,000 per year for three years. The terms begin July 1 and end June 30, 2025. 

Alamo Street rezoned 

Council approved rezoning about 5.26 acres of land at 715 Alamo Street from General Commercial to a Mixed Residential at Low to Medium Densities zoning district.

The applicant, Ronnie Gonzales with Center Point Survey, proposes developing 25 single-family residential lots with a minimum size of 5,400 square feet per lot on the property. 

The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval of the rezoning. 

Panel appointment approved 

Councilwoman Heather Betancourth nominated Katherine Brown for the District 4 vacancy on the Community Development Advisory Committee. Council approved the nomination. 

Brown’s term commences immediately and expires Dec. 31, 2023.