Edinburg City Council Approves Golf Management Contract, Honors 1980 Baseball Champions, Debates Rezoning and Variances at June 2 Meeting
Edinburg City Council, Troon Golf, Rezoning, Variances, American Legion Baseball, Public Comments, Edinburg TX
Arnoldo Mata
Edinburg TX – The Edinburg City Council covered a full agenda at its June 2, 2026, regular meeting, authorizing negotiations with a national golf management firm for its two city-owned courses, honoring the 1980 American Legion Post 408 state championship baseball team, debating several rezoning and variance requests, and hearing public comments on bond debt, tennis courts, and other community concerns.
Troon Golf Authorized to Negotiate City Course Management Contract
The council voted to authorize city staff to begin contract negotiations with Troon Golf Inc. for management and operations of Los Lagos Golf Course and Ebony Hills Golf Course, following a competitive RFP process that drew seven proposals and resulted in four finalist interviews.
Assistant City Manager Tomas Reyna explained the selection process and what the partnership is intended to accomplish. “The ultimate goal is to increase our revenues at the golf course and help our cost of operations come down with the expertise that this company would bring to it,” Reyna said. “The ultimate goal would be to lower our operation costs for the golf courses and invest into the management company so they give us an actual capital improvement list that we need to follow.”
Mayor Ochoa framed the move as a push toward self-sufficiency for the courses. “The goal is to make our golf courses profitable,” he said. “We’re not having to use general revenue money. The revenues generated by these, through use of the golf course, food and beverage, the pro shop, selling merchandise, all of that will cover all of our costs. That is the ultimate goal.”
Ochoa also made clear the city retains full ownership and oversight. “This is not turning over the golf course to a golf management company. The city still is the owner, still in the driver’s seat, still has to approve operations. Troon is coming in to help us manage these courses and bring their expertise to bear,” he said.
Jeff Thomason, Regional Vice President of Operations for Troon, addressed the council briefly. “Troon is an international company. We have over 780 client engagements worldwide, 16 facilities in Texas, and between 80 and 100 municipal engagements,” Thomason said. “We are humbled and very appreciative of your selecting Troon and putting your trust in us to manage what is, in any municipality, a very important asset for the quality of life of the residents and for the betterment of the business unit.”
Reyna noted the contract itself must still come back to the council for final approval. The vote to authorize negotiations passed as part of the consent agenda along with items A through E.
During public comments earlier in the evening, resident Irma Clary raised questions about Ebony Hills specifically, saying very few people use the course and asking the council to explain how much revenue it generates versus what it costs taxpayers. No formal response was provided during the public comment period, which is non-interactive under council rules.
1980 American Legion Post 408 Baseball Team Honored
Mayor Ochoa opened the meeting’s recognition portion by presenting a proclamation to members of the 1980 Edinburg American Legion Post 408 baseball team, the first and only team from South Texas to win an American Legion Baseball State Championship.
The proclamation detailed the team’s remarkable journey. Originally scheduled to host the state tournament at what was then UT Pan American’s Jody Ramsey Stadium, the team was forced to relocate to Texas City when Hurricane Allen made landfall on August 10, 1980. Competing as heavy underdogs in a double-elimination format, the team defeated powerhouse programs from Arlington and Pasadena before suffering a temporary setback against Amarillo. They avenged that loss in the championship final with a decisive 23-4 victory. The team then represented Texas at the Southwest Regional National Tournament in Yountville, California.
The proclamation recognized players Javier Cantu, Fernando De La Garza, Ruben Ayala, Nary Pena, Renanario Cantu, Nick Cantu, Eddie Trejo, Rick Villarreal, Pablo Elizondo, Armando Alvarado, Gus Alvarado, Robert Vela, Jaime Ayala, Dr. Fred Guerra, Paulino Morin, and Raul Carrera; managers Judge Ruben Ayala, Nick Cantu Sr., and Roy Rogers; and coaches Joe Vasquez and Gilbert Garza.
“What a wonderful story,” Ochoa said following the reading. “We’re always happy, honored to be able to highlight these wonderful stories from the past, lest they be forgotten. All of the challenges that the team overcame, young high school students who went out and showed the rest of the state what Edinburg is made of.”
Townhome Rezoning Near Walk-Ons Tabled
The council tabled a rezoning request for 2.397 acres at 409 W. Trenton Road (the green space behind the Walk-Ons restaurant, Tru Hotel, and Home2 Suites) after a lengthy discussion revealed too many unanswered questions about the proposed townhome development.
Marlon Garza of Melden & Hunt, representing developer Vivek Hassan, explained that Hassan had originally planned to build a third hotel on the site but shifted the Courtyard hotel project to a different location after conducting a market study. He now proposes building townhomes on the remaining parcel. “His idea, his intention is to build townhomes in the rear. He doesn’t believe that leaving it as commercial for a commercial strip plaza or anything is very feasible for this area,” Garza said.
Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo outlined staff’s concerns. The site is constrained by a large gas line easement in the rear, easements in the front, tight lot conditions, and a preliminary plat that raised fire department access concerns. “It’s kind of hard to support something that’s going to require all these variances,” Acevedo said. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff recommended denial.
Mayor Ochoa pressed the developer’s representative on how far along the plans actually were. “I mean, how final are your plans on what it is that you want to do out there? You’re still working on them?” Ochoa said. “It’s also difficult for us to allow for the rezoning if we’re not even really sure what’s gonna go there in the first place. If what we’re hearing from staff is this is probably gonna require several variances, I personally would wanna know what those are before I even allow the rezoning.”
The developer’s representative acknowledged updated plans had not yet been shared with staff. One council member moved to table the item, citing sympathy for the developer’s position while agreeing more information was needed. “I think the neighbors would love to have other residents there, and so that just gives everyone time to try and figure it out,” the council member said.
The motion to table passed. A variance request for lot frontage tied to the same property was also tabled.
106-Lot Townhome Subdivision Approved Across from Edinburg North
The council approved a rezoning request for a 9.54-acre tract at 3008 N. Business Highway 281 from commercial general to residential urban and townhome district, clearing the way for a proposed 106-lot townhome subdivision directly across from Edinburg North High School.
Gregory Vasquez, the project manager and a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, who disclosed he did not participate in or vote on the item when it went before that board, made the case for the development. “Residential neighborhoods next to schools create a natural fit. They provide a safer environment for students, reduce conflict between land uses, and create a stable long-term investment for the surrounding area,” Vasquez said. He emphasized the project requires no variances and has been designed to meet all city development requirements.
The proposed development would include private streets, a dog park, gathering areas, and EV-ready infrastructure. All units would be detached rather than attached townhomes, and the community would be gated. Properties on the south side adjacent to existing homes would be restricted to one-story construction to protect neighbor privacy.
Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission had both recommended denial, preferring commercial uses along the Business 281 corridor with residential behind. Acevedo noted staff’s position was not opposition to residential development, but a preference for commercial along the front of the property. “Everything north of Rogers with the exception of the school along Business 281 is commercial,” he said. “What we wanted to see was commercial in the front and residential in the back.”
Vasquez countered that the lot is only about 330 feet wide, making a viable commercial strip in front of the subdivision impractical, roughly a half-acre of commercial on each side of an interior road, which he said would not attract tenants. He also noted the school’s presence makes commercial traffic in front of the site a poor fit.
Council members engaged in extended discussion, with several coming around to the project’s merits. “Nobody in the city of Edinburg wants a business in their backyard. So here we have a developer that’s willing to put more homes to the backyard of other backyards,” one council member said. “I think it’s a great project. I think it’s what it’s supposed to be.”
Another council member who had initially been skeptical reconsidered after the developer explained the plan. “I did not think of it that way, but that actually makes a lot of sense. Because if there were townhomes there, whoever buys those townhomes will already know there’s a hotel right in front,” the member said.
The council voted to approve the rezoning. Staff noted the lots at 35 by 80 feet would require a variance for detached townhomes unless adjusted to comply with the 40-foot width and 4,000 square foot minimum, a point Vasquez said the team is still working to address.
Alberta Road Rezoning Approved for Pickleball and Food Truck Concept
The council approved a rezoning request at 1005 E. Alberta Road from residential primary to commercial general district, with the developer describing plans for a pickleball and paddle court facility with a food truck dining area in front.
The item had previously been tabled by the council, and the developer, identified during the meeting as Mr. Redick, returned with a more developed vision. “We sat back, we talked to the investors, and now we’re really a lot closer to the true vision of what we do,” Redick said.
Mayor Ochoa acknowledged the appeal of the concept while noting the council was proceeding in part on the developer’s stated intentions. “If you get this commercial zoning and you’re telling us what you intend for it to be, it doesn’t actually have to be that. You could sell it tomorrow, and someone could go up there and put a gas station in there, which would be very disappointing for us,” Ochoa said. “In some measure, we are proceeding on this based off of your word on what it is that you intend to develop out there.”
Several council members expressed support, noting the corridor is becoming more commercial and that the planned use is a good fit for the area. One council member noted a nearby property had recently been purchased for a residential and commercial development, making the commercial designation increasingly consistent with the surrounding area.
The motion to approve passed.
Special Use Permits Approved
The council approved two temporary special use permits without significant discussion. The first allows Sacred Heart Catholic Church to hold the Feast of Corpus Christi procession on Sunday, June 7, at 216 N. 16th St. A parishioner, Clara Rodriguez, had addressed the council during public comments to extend a personal invitation to the mayor and council to attend the festivities, which run June 3 through June 12 and conclude with a celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She noted the U.S. bishops have designated this year’s observance as a national consecration to the Sacred Heart in honor of the 250th anniversary.
The second permit allows the World Elder Abuse Awareness Parade, requested by Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Victims Unit Director Danielle Gonzalez, to be held Wednesday, June 10, beginning and ending at Bert Ogden Arena, 4900 South I-69 C.
Variance Actions
The council denied a sanitary sewer variance for the proposed Spacieux Storages subdivision at 4909 W. S.H. 107, where the applicant sought to use a septic tank rather than connect to an existing nearby sewer line. Staff noted a sewer connection was available and that granting the variance would set a precedent. “I think it’s a pretty good rule to require sanitary measures in buildings in our city,” one council member said.
The council approved a variance for the Morning Star Gardens Subdivision at 3420 S. Business Highway 281 after a detailed discussion. The development features homes on only the north side of an interior road, with no homes on the south side. The developer sought a reduction from the required 50-foot right-of-way to 45 feet and permission to omit a sidewalk on the south side where no homes exist. After the developer explained that the five-foot reduction is directly tied to lot square footage compliance, without it, lots fall just shy of the required 4,000 square feet for detached townhomes, the council came around. “This variance actually sounds okay,” Mayor Ochoa said. The item had initially drawn a motion to deny before the council suspended the rules for further discussion.
The council tabled a related lot frontage variance for 409 W. Trenton Road, the same Tru Subdivision property tied to the Walk-Ons townhome rezoning.
The council approved dual variances for a four-tract property at 1008 Monte Cristo Heights Road, allowing a family to place a brand-new double-wide mobile home on their property and forgo the platting requirement. The property owners, Erica and Noe Nava, told the council they purchased the land to build their forever home, including a farm with livestock, a planted hay field, and an eight-foot perimeter fence, but have been working through the approval process for a year and a half. An engineer confirmed the elevation of the existing sewer line makes a standard connection infeasible. “All we want is a chance to live,” Erica Nava told the council. The Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved the variance request; staff had recommended denial. The council voted to approve.
The council also approved a lot-frontage variance for the proposed Montemayor Estates at 3220 W. Chapin Road, a four-acre family tract that was subdivided among siblings by their mother beginning in the mid-1980s. The six proposed lots already have a paved private road running through the middle, referred to informally as Montemayor Road. Both staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, recognizing the variance as a legal formalization of what has existed on the ground for four decades. “We’re not creating some new situation,” Mayor Ochoa said. “We’re not allowing some developer to do something different. This is a legal recognition of what already exists and has existed for 40 years.”
Routine Public Hearings Approved
The council approved three routine public hearing items in a single motion, including the proposed Community Development Block Grant Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, a rezoning at 900 N. Business Highway 281 from residential multifamily to commercial general, and a rezoning at 2825 E. Monte Cristo Road from residential primary to commercial neighborhood district.
Special Use Permit – Alcohol
The council approved a special use permit for on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages at 310 W. McIntyre St., requested by Jace Hughes on behalf of JM Mejia Properties LLC.
Executive Session Actions
Following executive session, the council voted to authorize the city manager to negotiate for the acquisition of real property discussed as Project 1718, and separately approved a real property purchase agreement for property at 1101 N. Doolittle Road, directing the city manager to move forward with effectuating that agreement.
Public Comments
Several residents used the public comment period to raise a range of concerns.
Fern McClarty spoke at length about bond debt and the financial burden on taxpayers. She cited the city’s current $9 million annual bond payment and calculated that a proposed $275 million bond would carry annual payments of $15.7 million over 30 years. “No matter how low the interest rate is, the result is that we pay two or three times more than the purchase price,” McClarty said. She also questioned golf course expenditures, the $6 million parking garage, and water rate increases, and asked pointed questions about several agenda items including the golf course management contract and multiple variance requests.
John Neely made a passionate plea for the city to invest in public tennis courts, noting Edinburg has not built a new tennis court in 70 years and that all existing courts at schools and UTRGV are locked and inaccessible to the public. “Edinburg is known for one sport in the nineties and early two thousands. Iit wasn’t baseball; it was tennis. We ruled tennis. But now nobody can play, kids can’t play,” Neely said. He suggested Memorial Park as a potential site, noting an underused pavilion there could complement two new courts. Mayor Ochoa acknowledged the community’s history in tennis and appeared receptive to the suggestion.
Clara Rodriguez, a Sacred Heart parishioner, invited the council and public to the Feast of Corpus Christi celebrations running June 3 through June 12.
A commenter identified as Obed Montoya raised concerns about a Planning and Zoning Commission member’s alleged financial ties to a developer and called for that member’s resignation. Mayor Ochoa did not respond during the public comment period, consistent with council rules prohibiting interaction during that portion of the meeting. The council did note at the opening of the relevant agenda item that the Planning and Zoning Commission member in question, Gregory Vasquez, who later presented the 3008 N. Business Highway 281 rezoning, had disclosed his commission membership, did not participate in, and did not vote on the item when it came before the Planning and Zoning board.