Steve Soman - Brenham City Council Ward 1

Had a really fun time interacting with the residents, singing, sharing a word, and attending church.

Proposed Zoning Updates on Multifamily Density & Bufferyards

The City is considering two code clarifications that affect how new multifamily housing and commercial projects relate to existing neighborhoods.

1. Multifamily lot size rules (R-2 and Downtown Overlay)
This cleans up the language so the minimum site area is clear: 6,000 sq ft or a set amount of land per unit (whichever is greater). The goal is predictability and to reduce the need for variances on smaller lots. Downtown allows slightly higher density to support mixed-use growth.

2. Bufferyards (the green or screened areas between different types of development)
Current rules often result in only a narrow strip of landscaping. The proposal would:
• Require a minimum 15-foot landscaped buffer between dissimilar uses (with adjusted standards for industrial next to homes)
• Add clearer categories for townhomes (by height), offices (by lot size), and auto-related uses such as car washes and drive-thrus
Better buffers can help reduce noise, light, and visual impacts when apartments, townhomes, or businesses locate next to single-family homes. Council discussion also raised important practical concerns, including water use, development costs, and keeping projects feasible, especially for desirable infill.

Council feedback so far
Discussion focused on practical calibration. I supported the overall direction but suggested allowing non-vegetative screening options (walls, berms, drought-resistant features) and more tiered standards based on actual impact (for example, stronger screening for higher impact uses like gas stations or drive thrus). Mayor Pro Tem Kolby noted that buffer width can affect developable square footage and project feasibility. Mayor Kenjura encouraged staff not to rush given the ordinance’s broad reach.

For more reading
• KWHI coverage: https://kwhi.com/2026/07/21/brenham-city-council-discusses-code-amendment-proposals-for-multifamily-development-bufferyards/
• Banner Press: https://www.southtexasnews.com/brenham_banner_press/buffer-yard-requirements-debated-at-planning-and-zoning-commission-meeting/article_7d30974d-7efc-4c3b-a4ee-d9cae3635269.html
• City presentation from the July 16 work session: https://brenhamtx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/738/files/attachment/2908

How you can give input
This item will go to the Planning & Zoning Commission and then back to City Council in the coming weeks. You can attend and speak, or contact the Development Services Department at (979) 337-7220 to share comments or suggestions. The department website: https://www.cityofbrenham.org/city_government/departments/development_services/index.php

These changes are still being refined. Staff is gathering feedback from residents, landscapers, and developers to find a practical balance that protects neighborhoods while supporting responsible growth.

Questions? Reach out. Let’s get this right for Brenham.

📊 Brenham PD – By the Numbers: June 2026 🚓

Transparency is one of the Brenham Police Department's core values. We believe our community deserves to know not only what we're doing, but also how we're serving Brenham each day.

Our monthly "By the Numbers" report provides a high-level snapshot of the work taking place across our city and reflects the commitment of our officers and professional staff to keeping Brenham safe.

Our work is guided by three strategic priorities:

🤝 Community Engagement, Partnerships, and a Community-Oriented Police Force
🎯 Responsibly Aggressive Enforcement and Targeted Crime Reduction
⭐ Organizational Excellence, Professional Development, and Transparency

June 2026 Highlights:

🔹 NIBRS Crime Rate: 81
🔹 Violent Crime Offenses: 39
🔹 Property Crime Offenses: 25
🔹 Calls for Service: 3,775
🔹 Crashes: 29
🔹 CID Clearance Rate: 44%*
🔹 Reports Taken: 202
🔹 Traffic Stops: 943
🔹 Priority 1 Response Time: 3 minutes, 46 seconds

*CID Clearance Rate reflects the department's year-to-date clearance rate.

While these numbers represent only a snapshot, they highlight the thousands of interactions our team has with the community, from responding to emergencies and investigating crimes to enforcing traffic laws, solving cases, and working proactively to prevent crime before it occurs.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We remain committed to serving with professionalism, accountability, and transparency as we work together to make Brenham one of the safest communities in Texas.

💙 Keeping Brenham Safe. Together.

Skip the Student Loans, Build a Real Career in Brenham ⚡

Tired of hearing about crushing debt and jobs that AI might replace? The City of Brenham has a better path!

Now Hiring:
Apprentice Lineworker I
Journey Lineworker

Apply today:
🔗 https://cityofbrenham.applicantpro.com/iframe/mobile/4047422.html
🔗 https://cityofbrenham.applicantpro.com/iframe/mobile/3851778.html
Questions? Contact HR at [email protected] or 979-337-7518

Read more:
https://www.cityofbrenham.org/i_want_to/apply_for/a_city_job.php

🚜 Progress at Brenham Family Park!

Got out to the site this week to check in on construction of the new pond and the walking paths and there's real momentum to report. Grading and excavation are well underway, the pond basin is taking shape, and you can already see where the paths will run. I even got to stand in what will be the deepest part of the pond. The clay still has to go in before it will hold water, so don't expect it to fill overnight but once that's done, the rain will do the rest.

Thanks to Dane Rau, City of Brenham Public Works Director, and our contractor, MBC Management, for walking the site with me and highlighting the work progress. This is a space our families will enjoy for years, and it's good to watch it come to life.

We've got another day with an Extreme Heat Advisory. Temps could reach 112 for Washington County today. Stay cool.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Washington County today, July 21. Heat indexes may approach 108 degrees. Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

Brenham City Council approves Aviation Way extension grant agreement and engineering services BRENHAM — The Brenham City Council has moved forward with planned growth at the Brenham Municipal Airport, approving key grant agreements and engineering services to extend Aviation Way and prepare

"What's coming to Brenham?" and "What's being built near me?" are among the most frequently asked questions I get.

Good news! You don't have to wait for an answer. City staff maintain a live Commercial Development Dashboard that maps projects across town, so you can see where they are and whether they're proposed, under construction, or open.

📍 Scan the code or visit: https://map.cityofbrenham.org/portal/apps/dashboards/e76c86b1366648a1b86e4d5898ae26a4

Poke around, find your part of town, and see what's on the way.

Very educational

Ask an expert Reservoir data on Water Data for Texas | Texas Water Newsroom In this Ask an Expert article, hydrologist Dr. Mark Wentzel explains the types of reservoir data available on Water Data for Texas and how they are collected and shared. The dashboard tracks 122 reservoirs across the st...