Construction of a new Dollar General store on U.S. Highway 190 in Kempner is under way. Store owners requested and received a sign variation from Kempner council members. PHOTO BY MAT TAYLOR The small city of Kempner in east Lampasas County soon will grow a little in size, as the City Council last week approved a resolution that begins the process of annexing 1.82 acres.

The acreage just north of U.S. Highway 190 is the site for the new Dollar General store. Owners of the property requested voluntary annexation as part of the council’s approval of a subdivision agreement.

Mayor Gene Isenhour said the next step of the annexation process would be two public hearings that will be April 13 and April 27 prior to the regular council meeting.

The city will benefit from the annexation, as sales tax revenue will increase. The store, in return, will receive police protection and other city services, the mayor added.

In other action concerning Dollar General, the council approved a variance to the city sign ordinance. The variance will allow the store to erect its standard 150-square-foot sign on the face of the building. The ordinance limits signs to 60 square feet.

The council also revised the building permit fees to keep pricing in line with building size. Currently, a permit for any building larger than 2,501 square feet is $150.

“When the fees were originally set, we were primarily concerned with residential buildings,” Isenhour said. “Now we have a 9,100-square-foot commercial building being constructed, and they paid the same fee as someone building a home.”

Under the revised ordinance, the fee would remain $150 for structures from 2,501 to 5,000 square feet. Building permits for structures between 5,001 and 7,000 square feet would be $200, and $250 for buildings between 7,501 and 10,000 square feet. Permits for any structure larger than 10,000 square feet would be $300.

Also last week, the council approved abandonment of an alley in Block 4 of the original town of Kempner, north of the railroad. The action includes sale of the right of way to define property lines that now have a home in the alley.

Isenhour updated council members on construction at the Sylvia Tucker Memorial Park. Curb and guttering for the driveway and parking lot have been installed. Base also has been laid in preparation for paving the parking lot, depending upon weather conditions.

The mayor added that the next priority would be pouring concrete for sidewalks and pads for picnic areas.

Landscaping around the park’s Veterans Memorial has been completed. Isenhour reminded the council that anyone who wants to purchase a stone to honor a veteran on the wall of honor at the memorial should contact Kempner City Hall.

Isenhour said a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veterans Memorial is scheduled on Memorial Day.

In final business, it was noted that filings for city elections have closed. Two council seats and the mayor’s office are up for election. Incumbent mayor Isenhour, Place 1 Councilman Paul Cook and Place 5 Councilwoman Melba Vandeveer filed for re-election with no challengers. Therefore, the council will consider canceling the election.

If no election is held, the city will save about $3,500, Isenhour said.