At a Special Session of McCulloch County Commissioners held on Thursday, a tie-breaking vote by County Judge Frank Trull cleared the way for the Court to consider a request by the Rochelle Baptist Church to alter Grace Ave. between 5th and 6th Streets. But, that consideration will not happen until June 26.
As in the two past occasions when the issue was before the Court, Rochelle residents who were both in favor of and opposed to the change to Grace Avenue were in attendance, and all who wanted had their opportunity to express their opinions.
Generally, those in favor contend the Rochelle Baptist Church request to close a portion of the street to accommodate expansion plans at the Church would not cause a problem for the community. Opponents, however, believe public safety would be reduced if that portion of the street is altered.
Two questions were before Commissioners. The first was whether to even accept the petition for the change from the church for consideration. The vote on that question among Commissioners was a tie — Commissioners Don Bratton and Jason Behrens voting against. Commissioners Randy Deans and Carol Anderson voting in favor. That left the tie-breaking vote and the decision to County Judge Frank Trull.
In his comments, Judge Trull first expressed his regret that whatever decision he made would leave some residents unhappy. But, he then noted that only property owners are able to request changes to streets or roads adjacent to their property, and the Rochelle Baptist Church had been the only resident who actually came before the Court with the request. Based on that, Judge Trull voted in favor of having the Court consider the request.
The Judge next pointed out that state law requires that local utilities be given 30 days notice of any contemplated changes to roadways. As a result, Commissioners then voted to table consideration of the request for 30-days until the June 26 session of the Court.
