What happened: The Midland City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 14, to address zoning updates, subdivision reforms, new construction cleanup rules, substandard housing abatements, and an update on the firefighters’ pension fund.

Key points:

  • Overlay district: Council approved a new overlay district in District 2 to make it easier for residents to build single-family homes without going through lengthy and costly rezoning. The overlay better matches the area’s current use and removes the need for individual zoning change requests.

“There are 450 homeowners that have sat in this council having to come to get something approved that they should have never had to,” Councilman John Burkholder said. “You’ve saved us 200-plus public hearings and second readings.” Mayor Lori Blong added that the change makes development more accessible for residents who didn’t have the resources to go through rezoning.

  • Platting reform: Council adopted an ordinance to streamline the subdivision process, cutting about 63 days from the average approval timeline. The change eliminates the “sketch plat” step and allows limited staff-level approval for smaller projects under 25 acres.

City staff said the reform is part of the city’s ongoing effort to make development more predictable and business-friendly. Assistant City Manager Jose Ortiz noted that weekly pre-development meetings now allow builders to get direct feedback from all departments at once, saving time and avoiding confusion.

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  • Llano Estacado: Council discussed a 91.9-acre residential development proposed just outside city limits, where 74 one-acre lots would rely on private wells and septic systems. Although the developer submitted a study showing a 30-year groundwater supply, councilmembers raised serious concerns about long-term water availability.

“I have a significant amount of unease in voting to approve something and becoming complicit with that issue,” Blong said. “We’ve seen this go really badly. People stake their life savings in a home and think that they’re going to build their future there, and then they don’t have water.”

Staff explained that state law requires the plat’s approval if it meets technical standards, even without a council vote. The city took no action, meaning the subdivision is automatically approved after the 30-day legal deadline.

  • Residential construction cleanup: Council amended the residential construction code to require builders and permit holders to keep job sites clean and orderly, matching standards already in place for commercial projects. The change gives inspectors clear authority to enforce debris rules and aims to improve neighborhood safety and appearance.

Jody McGee of the Permian Basin Builders Association said builders generally support the new rule but asked for clear definitions to ensure fairness. City staff said all violations will require photo documentation and municipal review before they issue any citation.

  • Substandard housing: Council declared three vacant homes substandard, giving owners 30 days to repair or demolish the properties before the city steps in. The homes, some near schools, have a history of trespassing and crime. If owners don’t act, the city will handle demolition using its own crews, at a cost of about $10,000 per property, and bill the costs to the owner.

“These are places that truly are a hazard to our community,” Blong said. “We have engaged with the property owners and we’ve given them opportunities here.” City Manager Tommy Gonzales added that staff are working through a list of more than 100 unsafe structures citywide.

  • Firefighter pension: Council received an update showing progress in the Midland Firemen’s Relief and Retirement Fund, which improved its funded ratio from 43% to nearly 70%. The fund’s total liability fell from $121 million, aided by the city’s $54.4 million contribution from oil and gas revenue, which would otherwise have funded quality-of-life projects.

The fund’s assets now exceed $154 million, with investment returns of 11.5% in 2024 and 9.6% so far in 2025. Fund chairman Justin Graham credited close collaboration between the city and the fund board and recommended forming a joint subcommittee to maintain long-term financial stability.