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BASTROP — City Council last week laid to rest a development code system that has frustrated residents, troubled developers and cost the city millions since 2019, according to officials.
Council members unanimously voted at their April 14 meeting to repeal the old Bastrop Building Block (B3) code and adopt the new Bastrop Development Code (BDC). According to Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland, the B3 code is estimated to have cost the city about $10 million in lost revenue since being adopted seven years ago.
“This (B3) code is the reason that a majority of us are seated up here, to fix this,” he said.
City leaders said the B3 code created a restrictive and often confusing process that slowed development. A combination of outdated rules and city management practices meant it could take up to a year to review simple building permits, according to Kirkland, with no appeals process available for denials.
The new system is designed to clear the way for growth, according to the city.
To commemorate the move, small candy- filled coffins labeled “Bastrop B3 Code, 2019 to 2026” were distributed to city staff as mementos for helping with the citywide overhaul.
City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino, who started with B3 in place in 2022, said the city has worked to rebuild its development process from the ground up.
“Thank you for allowing me to dismantle one of the worst codes I’ve seen in my career,” Carrillo- Trevino said. “I’m going to make a strong statement and say I think some of those folks (involved with the previous code) should be in jail.”
Under the new code, the city will reinstate its Zoning Board of Adjustment and allow for administrative flexibility when projects require special consideration. B3 offered no such relief, city staff said.
The old code was developed by a third party at a cost of about $750,000, while the BDC was created inhouse through a series of meetings with the council, developers, commissions and community.
Council members said saving money by working on critical functions themselves is one reason the city was able to approve a budget that did not increase property taxes. In addition to the new development code, Carrillo- Trevino said she has brought in new staff members who see themselves as public servants and want to help their neighbors.
“I want to make it very clear that this is a code for the people … it’s enforced by the people, and we work for the people,” the city manager said.
The BDC was approved with just one change at its second reading last week, the removal of a restriction that would have allowed no more than five residents including children in a 1,500 square foot home, and no more than 10 residents in a home of 3,000 square feet or larger.
Council member Kevin Plunkett jokingly pointed out that a two-parent, twochild family in a 1,500 square foot home had better hope the next pregnancy wasn’t twins or they would be in violation.
“You know, to me that’s going beyond what I feel this council is about,” Plunkett said. “If there are issues with parking, issues with noise, any other nuisance items that are going to bother the neighbors, then I think we need to attack those and not say how many kids somebody can have.”
Council agreed to fully remove the section restricting family size.
The city’s zoning map was updated alongside the code to reflect its clearer terminology, according to the council.
“This is probably one of the happiest days I’ve been on council, because roads and codes, we’re getting them done,” Councilwoman Cynthia Meyer said.
