Llano City Council approves ordinance tightening residency for planning-and-zoning appointments after residents’ objections

The Llano City Council voted to approve ordinance 15‑95 on the residency of planning-and-zoning commission members after several residents urged the council to keep decision‑makers local.

The vote followed a public comment period in which residents said planning and zoning decisions affect property values and taxes and therefore should be made by city residents. Jed Darland, a resident who spoke during public comment, said the city should "keep it just citizens of Llano" and warned against broadening membership to property owners or business owners who do not live in the city. Wayne, another resident, said city boards that shape taxes and land use should be filled first by people who live and pay taxes in Llano City.

Finley, speaking for staff, told the council the recommended change was largely housekeeping: bylaws had been updated over the years to allow some nonresident participation, but the enabling ordinance had not been amended to match those bylaws. According to the staff explanation, the local government code gives council latitude to appoint planning commissioners and does not itself require residency, so the choice rests with council policy. "If you don't like the rule, then change the rule or make sure you enforce it," Finley said, explaining the staff recommendation to correct the ordinance so it aligns with current practice or reflects the council's preference.

Council discussion touched on safeguards and the scope of eligibility. Some council members suggested keeping a limit on the number of nonresident members and clarifying that appointees must have a "skin in the game"—for example, property or business interests in the county. A motion to approve the ordinance, including a recommendation to change wording to say no more than two board members may "reside outside the city limits," passed with no opposing votes recorded.

The ordinance change will be reflected in the city's enabling code and applied to future appointments. Council also discussed the timing and status of current commission members who live outside the city and noted any removal or reappointment would require separate action.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote; no further action on the planning-and-zoning commission was taken at that meeting.