Citing a conflict between a 2013 ordinance (see page 24)and the city’s 2011 Integrated Development Code, council voted unanimously on July 24 to amend the ordinance and remove all term limits for members of Planning & Zoning. Prior law allowed P&Z members to serve up to three consecutive two-year terms but had to be off for a year after that.

 

Council also amended its motion to remove term limits for Municipal Development District members. Referring to term limits, MDD President and councilman Ron Raymaker said he didn’t “know of any other than the president of the United States.” However, Houston does limit terms for its mayor and council members.

 

According to city records, only one person submitted an application for MDD in the last 12 months, and no one applied for P&Z during that period.

 

Mayor John Escoto said the city does not have a policy for announcing vacancies in either P&Z or MDD. “Vacancies to both boards are filled by appointments by the Mayor and MDD Board President respectively and both are subject to City Council confirmation. The Mayor or Board President may request applications from qualified applicants to assist in making a decision on an appointee.” The recent resignation of MDD president Byron Bevers and resulting vacancy of that seat was not announced to the public.

 

P&Z makes recommendations on several matters that impact residents, including regulations on Airbnb rentals, home businesses and the physical development of the city. MDD manages a budget of sales tax revenue to boost economic development in the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

 

Applications for both boards are posted on the city’s website.

 

Unlike Houston, there are no term limits for Shenandoah city council positions, although voters ultimately have the ability to limit terms through the annual election cycle. Potentially three council seats will be on the ballot in May 2025, provided there are no unopposed candidates.