Four Wheelers Not Allowed On the Streets Of Round Top
At the Round Top council meeting on Monday, July 13, Mayor Barry Bone’s idea to permit four-wheelers on town streets was moved for adoption by councilmember Keith Sharp, but died for lack of a second after it became clear that every law enforcement agency in the county – from the DPS to the local constable, including the county judge – opposed it.
A Chamber of Commerce representative announced plans for another pop-up show Aug. 20-23. The chamber is also making plans for the annual WineFest in November. At the mention of a request for a few booths in the town square during WineFest, Bone commented that, “If any of the pop-up is outside, it requires Mayor’s approval,” adding that pop-up shows don’t fit into the town’s land use ordinances very well. “I will have something on the next agenda to address that,” he said.
Town compliance officer Wayne Tutt reported on the installation of radar speed-limit signs. Tutt said the town is waiting on TxDOT to do a study. “The engineer needs more data and will be putting out traffic counters on SH 237. He hopes they can complete the study by the end of week.”
Bone reported that the town is $29,000 under budget so far this year.
The fall antiques show has been under discussion. Bone said work is in progress to find out how it can go forward and/ or be altered. All the venues are having questions from their vendors. No decisions have been made.
Concerning the town’s dark sky initiative, Town advisor David Stall announced that under a new law passed by the last Legislature the town “Can’t regulate light fixtures that are attached to buildings,” unless the town applies to be an official “dark-sky city.” Many local businesses have festooned the town’s buildings with hundreds of low-wattage “ornamental lights” despite past efforts to regulate lighting in Round Top.
Council members voted to continue by teleconference next month.
Mayor Bone said he will look into using the Zoom video conference platform so council members can see each other.