Editor's note: Last Energy withdrew its plans to build a small modular reactor facility in Bryan, according to a May 5 news release. The project had been scheduled for Bryan City Council's consideration the evening of May 5.
Posted 2:30 p.m. May 4
Bryan City Council will meet May 5 to consider a proposed multifamily rezoning, updated electric rate language and an option agreement tied to a potential advanced nuclear energy project.
What you need to know
Council members will consider several agenda items supporting the city's long-term growth.
Key topics in the May 5 agenda include:
- Nuclear energy project: The council will consider approving a contract with Last Energy for about 19.5 acres on Mumford Road, near the Roland C. Dansby Generating Station. City documents say the company plans to develop an advanced nuclear energy facility made of up to two pressurized water reactors, capable of producing about 20 megawatts each. The company will be responsible for the development, permitting, construction and operation of the facility. Bryan Texas Utilities would not hold ownership or operational responsibility. City staff, including BTU team members, recommends approval to allow the company to pursue state funding through the Texas Nuclear Advanced Development Fund. The proposed agreement would:
- Purchase land at $1 million
- Require $10,000 in earnest money
- Provide a 365-day option period to close by May 10, 2027
- Multifamily rezoning request: A public hearing is scheduled for a request to rezone roughly 1.11 acres at 600 E. North Ave. from Retail District to Multiple-Family Residential. If approved, the zoning change will allow multifamily housing development near the Texas Avenue corridor. Planning and Zoning commissioners unanimously recommended approval in April, noting the request aligns with the city's Blueprint 2040 comprehensive plan. No formal development site plan has been submitted.
- Economic development incentives: Council members will consider adopting updated property tax abatement guidelines, required under state law. The city must renew the policy every two years to continue offering tax abatements as economic development incentives for new or expanding businesses.
- Agreement with RELLIS: Officials are also expected to postpone the consideration of a replacement tax abatement agreement with Texas A&M-RELLIS' Campus Data and Research Center until its June meeting. This is because negotiations are ongoing on improvements worth $298 million at the data research center.
- Electric rate ordinance update: The council will review a revised BTU electric rate ordinance meant to simplify language and improve transparency for the public. The proposal would eliminate seasonal residential electric rates beginning Nov. 1 and replace them with a single annual average rate. The change would increase the average residential bill by about $3.94 per month, or 3.5%, according to agenda materials. Base electric rates themselves would not change.
Also on the agenda
Items expected to be approved as part of the consent agenda include:
- A $195,819 street maintenance change order with Brazos Paving for pavement repairs along East 29th Street from Memorial Drive to East Villa Maria Road. This increases the original contract by about 7% to a total of $3.05 million
- A construction contract worth $241,851 for a parking lot expansion at Coulter Airfield.
- A 20-year agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to continue operating a communications facility at Coulter Field.
- Updated standards of care for city youth day camp and after-school programs.
- Participation in a national opioid settlement expected to bring money to the city.
Get involved
The Bryan City Council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Bryan City Hall, 300 South Texas Ave., Bryan.
