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Bandera City Administrator Stan Farmer (right) and Bandera City Council members meet on April 22.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
April 24, 2025
Bandera City Council amends sign ordinance, moves forward with $1 million grant
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council members on Tuesday issued a proclamation declaring May 4-10 National Travel and Tourism Week.
To commemorate the designation’s 42nd anniversary, the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a reception/wine share on Thursday, May 8, beginning at 5 p.m. The itinerary includes live music with Doc Williams, Jennifer D’Spain, Ricky Adams, Dennis Owens and David Wayne. Food will be prepared and served by the Bandera High School Culinary Department. Lucky guests will win one of 45 door prizes valued between $25 and $850, before the evening concludes at 7-ish p.m., CVB Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
“I think it’s the biggest party in the city, and it’s free!” Moore said, adding she expects more than 150 people in attendance.
A typo on council’s meeting agenda stating the city was due to proclaim the city as a Texas Music Friendly Community was not entirely inaccurate, though it was premature - that proclamation is due to take place in June.
In other business, council members amended Ordinance 451, Chapter 3 Building Regulations, Article 3.07 Signs, “to make the ordinance more business friendly and reduce the number of permits issued and variances requested.”
City Administrator Stan Farmer said the amendments were not a massive rewrite, but rather some revisions to ease the burden on the business community.
Some of the changes include eliminating permit requirements for minor signage maintenance, and allowing previously prohibited A-Frame, sail, teardrop, feather and bow banner signs, with certain limitations: one A-Frame is allowed per business, and feather and bow signs are restricted to a maximum of 10 days, five times per year.
“I think they’re a good way to draw attention to a business,” Council Member Lynn Palmer said, adding the guidelines are meant to protect the city from becoming inundated with the temporary signs.
See the sign ordinance at https://ecode360.com/41468192
~ Council approved the submittal of the Texas Rural Economic Development fund application to the Texas Department of Agriculture, though a $100,000 required match and projects deemed ineligible drew some concern.
The only project identified as viable by Traylor and Associates is the Historic Jailhouse and Courthouse Area Beautification.
Rejected projects include Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades, “due to the high project cost, extended timeline, and lack of direct economic development impact;” Bandera City Park Improvements, “due to its location within a FEMA-designated flood zone;” Water Conservation and Reclamation, “due to its lack of direct economic development impact;” Mobility and Accessibility Improvements, “due to the high project cost and anticipated timeline;” Education Center, “due to high initial and ongoing costs;” and Medical Center, “due to high initial and ongoing costs.”
“I don’t mind putting money in the historic jail and courthouse. That’s a win-win,” Palmer said. “But we spent a lot of time on the survey [selecting multiple projects].”
Moore questioned the one-year deadline imposed to complete the beautification project, as the county is in the midst of restoring the historic building. Farmer said improvements could be made to the ramp, landscaping, parking lot, and side streets, which neither impede nor would be impeded by the county’s progress.
Disputing the 10 percent match requirement, Palmer said the Texas Department of Agriculture said the city’s responsibility would not exceed $5,000. Traylor and Associates Executive Vice President Melinda Smith said she would investigate.
The application for the $1 million grant is due by April 30.
~ Council approved the Bandera Business Association’s request to use Bandera City Park for the National Day of the American Cowboy event, scheduled for July 26.
To commemorate the designation’s 42nd anniversary, the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a reception/wine share on Thursday, May 8, beginning at 5 p.m. The itinerary includes live music with Doc Williams, Jennifer D’Spain, Ricky Adams, Dennis Owens and David Wayne. Food will be prepared and served by the Bandera High School Culinary Department. Lucky guests will win one of 45 door prizes valued between $25 and $850, before the evening concludes at 7-ish p.m., CVB Executive Director Patricia Moore said.
“I think it’s the biggest party in the city, and it’s free!” Moore said, adding she expects more than 150 people in attendance.
A typo on council’s meeting agenda stating the city was due to proclaim the city as a Texas Music Friendly Community was not entirely inaccurate, though it was premature - that proclamation is due to take place in June.
In other business, council members amended Ordinance 451, Chapter 3 Building Regulations, Article 3.07 Signs, “to make the ordinance more business friendly and reduce the number of permits issued and variances requested.”
City Administrator Stan Farmer said the amendments were not a massive rewrite, but rather some revisions to ease the burden on the business community.
Some of the changes include eliminating permit requirements for minor signage maintenance, and allowing previously prohibited A-Frame, sail, teardrop, feather and bow banner signs, with certain limitations: one A-Frame is allowed per business, and feather and bow signs are restricted to a maximum of 10 days, five times per year.
“I think they’re a good way to draw attention to a business,” Council Member Lynn Palmer said, adding the guidelines are meant to protect the city from becoming inundated with the temporary signs.
See the sign ordinance at https://ecode360.com/41468192
~ Council approved the submittal of the Texas Rural Economic Development fund application to the Texas Department of Agriculture, though a $100,000 required match and projects deemed ineligible drew some concern.
The only project identified as viable by Traylor and Associates is the Historic Jailhouse and Courthouse Area Beautification.
Rejected projects include Wastewater Treatment System Upgrades, “due to the high project cost, extended timeline, and lack of direct economic development impact;” Bandera City Park Improvements, “due to its location within a FEMA-designated flood zone;” Water Conservation and Reclamation, “due to its lack of direct economic development impact;” Mobility and Accessibility Improvements, “due to the high project cost and anticipated timeline;” Education Center, “due to high initial and ongoing costs;” and Medical Center, “due to high initial and ongoing costs.”
“I don’t mind putting money in the historic jail and courthouse. That’s a win-win,” Palmer said. “But we spent a lot of time on the survey [selecting multiple projects].”
Moore questioned the one-year deadline imposed to complete the beautification project, as the county is in the midst of restoring the historic building. Farmer said improvements could be made to the ramp, landscaping, parking lot, and side streets, which neither impede nor would be impeded by the county’s progress.
Disputing the 10 percent match requirement, Palmer said the Texas Department of Agriculture said the city’s responsibility would not exceed $5,000. Traylor and Associates Executive Vice President Melinda Smith said she would investigate.
The application for the $1 million grant is due by April 30.
~ Council approved the Bandera Business Association’s request to use Bandera City Park for the National Day of the American Cowboy event, scheduled for July 26.