Land annexation approved

City Council members gave final approval to Odessa's largest land annexation in 29 years Tuesday.

The 717-acre plot of vacant land north and northwest of Ratliff Stadium is planned for mixed-use development, including apartments, single-family homes, offices and a possible hotel.

Council members also approved Odessa's 2008 Action Plan.

It's a detailed report on how the city will spend $1.7 million in U.S. Housing and Urban Development Funds, including Community Development Block Grants and HOME funds for affordable-housing programs.

Nonprofit groups like Meals on Wheels of Odessa and Catholic Charities will get a piece of the CDBG funding pie along with $223,000 to the city's demolition program for the bulldozing of 35 vacant buildings.

Council also approved:

>> Purchasing incident-management software WebEOC for the Emergency Operations Center at $105,776.

>> An amendment to allow auto storage or auto auction in a Planned Development Zoning District.

>> Approving a Lone Star State Bank request to amend the Planned Development-Office, Lot 7, Block 1, Parkway Office Park at 2900 JBS Parkway.

>> Selling a tax-delinquent property on Pearl Street for $17,500.

>> Repealing article five of the ambulance chapter of the city code and adopting article three of the vehicles-for-hire chapter.

>> Changing rates and regulations for taxicabs. Rates would increase by 15 cents for every 1/6 of a mile.

>> Renewing a wrecker-services contract.

>> The monthly financial summary report for June.

Council opened a public hearing on:

>> A request from Tim Haines for original zoning of light commercial on approximately 28.5 acres southeast of Interstate 20 and Andrews Highway.