Breckenridge City Commission reverses course on fire station plans, updates zoning for vape shops, tiny homes

October 21

11:48 2026

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By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

The Breckenridge City Commission recently reversed directions on the plans for a new fire station, voting at their regular meeting last week to tear down the current fire station and build a new station in its place.

The decision was made after a request from the Stephens Memorial Hospital District board of directors and the hospital administrator to reconsider building a new fire station next to the old YMCA building on East Walker Street.

In August, the City Commission approved a plan to donate the former YMCA building at 300 E. Walker St. to Stephens Memorial Hospital, which plans to turn it into a wellness center with a grant they’ve received. At the Oct. 13 meeting, SMH Administrator Gena Speer spoke to the commissioners and explained some of the plans for the building, as well as the hospital board’s concerns about a lack of parking if a new fire station is built on the lot east of the YMCA building.

“We are very concerned about only having the building and no additional area, both because of the traffic and the fire trucks and elderly people mixing, but also just parking,” Speer said. “It’s going to be difficult to even do this project with no parking.”

The old Breckenridge Municipal Building, at the corner of North Court and West Elm, across from the Stephens County Courthouse, currently serves as the Breckenridge fire station. It has been deemed unusable due to age and a variety of structural problems. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

In previous City Commission meetings, commissioners approved building a new fire station next to the YMCA building. The plan was to sell the current fire station, located on the northeast corner of West Elm Street and North Court Street. However, City Manager Cynthia Northrop said the City has advertised for bids on the fire station building two times but has not received any bids on it.

The City Commission and an ad hoc committee, that was created for the project, looked into the viability of the fire station and made suggestions for improving the work space and living quarters for the firefighters. Several options were considered, and plans have changed a couple of times. Eventually, the main fire station was determined to be unfit for the firefighters to continue living in. The roof leaked, and there were problems with the plumbing and the air conditioning. The building was plagued with mold and possibly asbestos. Because of the problems with the building, in 2025, the firefighters moved into temporary living quarters that were installed in the parking lot north of the station.

In April 2025, City staff estimated the cost to remodel or renovate the building would cost approximately $1.7 million, more than the estimated cost of a new building, at that time.

Part of the ongoing debate revolved around the historic nature of the building. It was built in 1922 and was used as the City’s Municipal Building for many years. When it was built, it was dedicated to the memory of the Breckenridge citizens who served in World War I. Several community members were against tearing down the 104-year-old building.

The commissioners eventually decided to build a new fire station at a different location and to try and find a buyer for the old building to preserve it. At a later meeting, the location next to the YMCA building was decided on for the new station. Certificates of Obligation funding was issued, the Request for Qualifications was issued, and the plan was to begin construction early in 2027.

But, the commissioners decision last week reversed all of that. The currently vacant lot on East Walker will be donated to the hospital, like the YMCA building, and the old Breckenridge Municipal Building/fire station will be torn down. A new, smaller fire station will be built on that location. Current plans are for that to be a metal building with bricks salvaged from the old building to be used on the façade. The building east of the main fire station, where the bays for the firetrucks are, will remain in place.

The commissioners approved the new plan unanimously.

For more information about the history of the new fire station plans, check out the links at the bottom of this article.

Vape Shops

In another reversal of a previous City Commission decision, the commissioners approved an amendment to the City of Breckenridge’s code of ordinances that will allow vape shops to be located in the industrial zone of the city.

Just a couple of months ago, the commissioners, as well as the Planning and Zoning Committee, approved an ordinance that banned vape shops from all of the city’s zoning districts. August’s Ordinance No. 2026-14 defined a vape shop as: “A retail establishment utilized primarily for the sale of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, edibles and other devices for the inhalation or consumption of tobacco, CBD or other hemp derived products, and other supplies or paraphernalia, with no on-site smoking or tobacco consumption.”

Then, the ordinance added vape shops to the “General Business Retail Uses” table in the City’s Code of Ordinances; but, none of the city’s zone were marked as permitting vape shops. The ordinance effectively banned any new vape shops within the Breckenridge city limits.

Northrop explained that the ordinance did not affect current vape shops in the city, which were considered “legal, non-conforming” businesses, as allowed by the City’s Code of Ordinances.

When asked by the Breckenridge Texan via email if the anti-vape shop ordinance violated state law that might regulate whether or not a city can entirely prohibit a business that is otherwise legal under state law, Northrop said the City staff intended to bring the topic back to the P&Z, as well as the City Commission, at a future date.

The P&Z met on Oct. 5, and recommended that the commission amend zoning district regulations to add vape shops as a permissible use allowed with a Conditional Use Permit in the Industrial “I” Zoning District. Northrop said the industrial zone is located on the Industrial Loop in northeast Breckenridge.

Following a public hearing and discussion regarding the zoning change, the commissioners approved the amendment unanimously.

Tiny Homes

Another item on the agenda also dealt with the City’s zoning ordinances, specifically the use of “tiny homes,” defined as “(a) single-family detached home that is between 320 and 500 square feet in size.”

According to the agenda for the Oct. 13 meeting, tiny homes were left off of the zoning ordinance during a recent update and needed to be added, as had previously been discussed by the commission.

“This was unfortunately just an oversight in that it was not added in the comprehensive zoning update that we did,” Northrop said. “This is not any change. This is something that we did discuss. We were aware of. (The Planning and Zoning Committee) was aware of, and we’ve allowed tiny homes with conditional use permits already. So nothing’s really changed. Again, it was just an oversight that was not included in the comprehensive zoning.”

Following a public hearing and discussion regarding the zoning change, the commissioners passed the amendment to the zoning ordinance.

Main Street Coordinator

As part of her City Manager’s report, Northrop introduced Austin Piccolo as the City’s new Main Street Coordinator.

Austin Piccolo is the City’s new Main Street Coordinator. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The position was approved by the commissioners earlier this year and was included in next year’s City budget. It is a necessary position for Breckenridge to become a part of the Texas Main Street program, as it was in the past.

In a news release about the position, Northrop said, “This is a new position created in the FY 2026-2027 Budget and will continue the progress the City has made in its efforts to promote economic development, a thriving business community and the revitalization of our Downtown area. This position is a requirement for the City to pursue grant funding to continue to promote economic vitality, organization, design and promotion of the Main Street area recognizing that attracting people to our downtown area, whether citizens or visitors, will promote our overall economic development efforts benefiting all of Breckenridge. The pursuit of grant funding will be a priority.”

The position of Main Street Coordinator will provide administrative and economic development functions and will serve a key role for the City in working with partners, including the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council, and the business community.

“I’m excited to be your new Main Street coordinator,” Piccolo said. “A little bit about myself: I have my MPA from Texas Tech University, and I believe my unique experiences throughout my career will contribute nicely to this role. As of last week, we took the first formal steps to accomplish our goal of becoming a Main Street city. The first part of that application is we have to submit our application for the First Street Initiative, which we did, and we will know in the coming weeks if we’ll be accepted into that program. I’m excited to get to work. I’m learning the ropes. Cynthia’s been of a great help. The whole staff has been awesome.”

Other business

During the meeting, the commissioners also took the following actions concerning other City business:

Approved the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation’s 2026-2027 budget.
Approved the Stephens County Appraisal District’s 2026-2027 budget.
Approved a Downtown Revitalization Phase 2 change order (CDM22-0020) for the Elm and McAmis street intersection.
Approved the purchase of a 2027 Mack MD7 single-axle dump truck for Public Works at a cost of $130,136.00, split between the Water and Wastewater fund balances.
Approved a bid by Jack Eddleman for the property at 907 N. Shelton
Approved the renewal of the City’s contract with the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce for the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds
Appointed City Commissioner Blake Hamilton as the City’s representative on the Stephens County Appraisal District Board of Directors
Honored the Employee of the Month, Police Officer Elena Arellano

Breckenridge resident Vicky Lyons spoke to the city commissioners about installing a stop sign at the intersection of Hullum and South Jackson streets. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Additionally, the City Commissioners listened to comments by local citizen Vicky Lyons. She spoke about problems with speeding vehicles on a city street and requested that a stop sign be installed.

“My main concern tonight is the traffic on South Jackson Street between 180 and Elliott,” she said. “There are several vehicles that consider it their own personal racetrack, speeding down the road multiple times a day. I haven’t clocked them, but I know it’s faster than 35 miles per hour. There’s no speed limit sign. I’m asking for you to consider a three-way stop sign at Hullum and South Jackson, or at least even a speed bump. Although I’m rarely on South Jackson, my fear is for the visiting elderly families of the residents of Villa Haven, and most importantly, the children of our neighbors.”

Also during the meeting, City Secretary Jessica Sutter swore in new Breckenridge Police Officers Bryan Burgess and Jacob Hernandez.

The meeting was the final session for the City of Breckenridge’s second Citizens Academy class. The members were presented with their certificates and badges.

The commissioners went into executive session with the city manager and the city attorney. When they reconvened, Northrop announced her resignation, effective on Nov. 30. Two days later, Police Chief Blake Johnson announced his retirement, effective Oct. 29. Click the following links to read those Breckenridge Texan articles:

Northrop resigns from Breckenridge City Manager position

Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson announces retirement

Breckenridge City Secretary Jessica Sutter swears in new police officers Jacob Hernandez, center, and Bryan Burgess, right. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson presented officer Elena Arellano with the Employee of the Month Award at the Oct. 13 City Commission meeting. He praised her work in apprehending a suspect and confiscating illegal drugs and stolen guns. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The City of Breckenridge’s 2026 Citizens Academy class was presented with certificates for their completion of the program which educates citizens about how the City operates. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Stephens Memorial Hospital Administrator Gena Speer speaks to the Breckenridge City Commission about the plans the hospital has for the former YMCA building. She and the hospital’s board of trustees requested that the City allow them to use the lot adjacent to the building for parking, rather than build a new fire station there. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)