The Seagoville City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission met jointly on Monday, February 2, 2026, at City Hall to consider a lengthy slate of ordinance updates, zoning amendments, and code adoptions. The meeting also included a contested zoning request for a proposed event center on Water Street and public opposition to three ordinance repeals.
Mayor Dennis K. Childress presided over the City Council, with Councilmembers Rick Howard, Jose Hernandez, Harold Magill, Allen Grimes, and Jon Epps present. Chair Tommy Lemond presided over the Planning and Zoning Commission, with Commissioners Cindy Burkett, Shelley Sipriano, Cheri Childress, Tasha Williams, and Amanda Moore present. Commissioner Robert Boyett was absent. City Manager Carey Neal, City Attorney Victoria Thomas, Director of Community Development Bill Medina, and City Secretary Sara Egan also attended.
Joint Public Hearings on Zoning Amendments
The two bodies held a series of joint public hearings on proposed zoning ordinance amendments. Community Development Director Bill Medina presented each item, which included allowing temporary cargo containers in several commercial and manufacturing districts, updates to guest quarters use restrictions in single family districts, and new definitions for terms including health and fitness studio, health and sporting facility, variety store, and vending kiosk or ATM.
The most discussed item was a proposal to create a new Downtown Overlay District, which would limit certain uses and require a Special Use Permit within district boundaries. Medina explained that businesses currently operating legally could continue under grandfathered status, and that property or business transfers would be allowed as long as any lapse in operation did not exceed six months.
Two residents spoke during the hearing on the overlay district. Liz Ramsey told the council the notification letter was confusing and asked how the new overlay differed from a previous one. Ricky Kirby, speaking on behalf of himself and eight other residents, raised concerns that the overlay would restrict current owners and businesses, that permits would not be guaranteed, and questioned the six month timeframe.
City Attorney Victoria Thomas clarified that the six month period comes from an existing ordinance, and that the city can be contacted for additional time if a property owner intends to continue an existing use.
Following the hearings, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously, 6 to 0, to recommend approval of all five zoning related items. The City Council later approved all of them, with the Downtown Overlay District ordinance pulled from the consent agenda at the City Attorney’s request because it required a supermajority vote. That item passed by roll call vote, 5 to 0, as Ordinance No. 2026-20.
Adoption of Updated Construction and Safety Codes
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a series of ordinances updating the city’s technical and construction codes to current national and international standards. These included the 2024 editions of the International Fire Code, International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Property Maintenance Code, and International Private Sewage Disposal Code, along with the 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code. The council also approved updates to sign regulations, parking and traffic standards, and unsanitary premises rules.
Opposition to Ordinance Repeals
The council held public hearings on three separate items repealing previous ordinances, numbers 11-2022, 33-2023, 26-2023, and 27-2023. Councilmembers Allen Grimes and Jon Epps recused themselves from some of these votes.
Several residents spoke in opposition to the repeals, including Edward Rasmussen and Patricia Rasmussen, who also provided a written handout to the council ahead of the meeting. Resident Shanna Sebastian Epps addressed a community letter that had been circulating and stated her family has not received and does not stand to receive any financial benefit, compensation, or preferred treatment connected to development of the property in question.
Despite the opposition, the council approved all three repeal ordinances by unanimous votes.
600 Water Street Zoning Request Denied
Mayor Pro Tem Harold Magill presided over a public hearing on a request to rezone a 2.895 acre tract at 600 Water Street from Light Manufacturing to a Planned Development allowing limited Local Retail uses, including an event center. Mayor Childress recused himself from this item.
Medina presented the Planning and Zoning Commission’s final report, which recommended denial of the request. Councilmember Epps asked about the layout of the proposed project and confirmed the event center would be a separate structure. No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Councilmember Jose Hernandez made a motion to approve the rezoning request, but the motion failed for lack of a second, effectively denying the zoning change.
Solid Waste Rate Increase Presentation
Director of Health Services Mamata Bhandari presented information on a proposed solid waste rate increase tied to the Consumer Price Index, citing a rate of 5.4 percent. Councilmember Hernandez asked about the possibility of a lower rate, and representatives from Frontier said they would review the relevant clause in the existing contract.
General Election Ordered for May 2
The council approved a resolution ordering the city’s General Election for May 2, 2026, to fill City Council Places 1, 3, and 5. The election will be held jointly with Dallas County and Kaufman County. City Secretary Sara Egan noted that if incumbents remain unopposed, the city may cancel the election following the candidate filing period.
Other Business
Councilmember Epps thanked attendees for their participation in the meeting. Councilmember Hernandez requested that the city’s public comments policy be reviewed at a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
