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Development Liaison

The Development Liaison can be of assistance by setting up Preliminary Application Conferences with relevant City staff, helping with application submissions, and reviewing/approving application status requests.

  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • cityplanning@amarillo.gov
  • 806-378-6290
  • Planning Department
    Simms Municipal Building
    Second Floor
    808 S. Buchanan
    PO Box 1971
    Amarillo, TX 79101
  • Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday
    8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Development Liaison Overview

Creating a new development in the City of Amarillo involves several departments and steps to ensure all regulations and standards are met. This page provides a high-level overview of the process, followed by a detailed breakdown of each step, descriptions, and links to necessary forms and contacts.

Preliminary Research Recommended
  • Research: Understand local zoning laws, land use regulations, and development codes.
  • Site Selection: Identify a suitable property for development.
  • Feasibility Study: Conduct a study to determine the viability of the project.

Note: if you are inheriting or being gifted a property, you can schedule a meeting a Preliminary Application Conference to learn more about requirements for developing a property.

Preliminary Application Conference (PAC) — Highly Recommended

Schedule a FREE meeting(s) with the city’s planning or development department to discuss the proposed project, get initial feedback, and understand specific requirements. If needed, you can request additional meetings to ensure all aspects of your project are thoroughly reviewed. To set up a Pre-Application Conference, visit the MGO Connect page and create an account if you do not already have one. Complete the Pre-Application Conference application, and the Planning Department will contact you.

The Preliminary Application Conference includes all relevant city staff:

  • Airport
  • Building Safety
  • CP&D (Engineering)
  • Development Liaison
  • Environmental Health
  • Fire Marshal
  • Planning
  • Traffic
  • Timeline: Usually scheduled within 1-2 weeks of the request.
  • Pre- Application Conference Fee: The preliminary application conference is a free service provided by development services.

Online Planning Applications

Planning Project Software — MGO Connect

The City of Amarillo Planning Department utilizes an online application process — My Government Online Connect — MGO Connect. The software streamlines the application process and allows applicants to track the progress of their application(s). 

→Access MGO Connect←

Assistance is available at the MyGovernmentOnline customer support help desk at 866-957-3764 (click Option 1.) The Planning Department is available for additional assistance via email at cityplanning@amarillo.gov or by phone at 806-378-6290.

Please create a New Account in MGO to start the application process. View the video below for instructions.

Development Services Application Process

To set up a Pre-Application Conference, visit the MGO Connect page and create an account if you do not already have one. Complete the Pre-Application Conference application, and Planning staff will contact you.

A Preliminary (Conceptual) Plan Development is required with all Final plats, as defined by subdivision ordinance.

Fee for Preliminary Site Plan: $378 + $10 per acre over 1 acre

Timeline: Varies based on project scope

Request a change in zoning designation for a property.

Fee: $882

Timeline: Approximately 4-6 weeks, including public notifications and hearings. 

Process:

    • Submit application and pay fee
    • Application is processed
    • Public notifications are issued
    • Planning and Zoning hearing followed by two readings at City Council meetings
    • Notification of approval or denial

 

This application can only be submitted according to the Deadline Schedule, click here for details.

May be required base on project scope.

Fee: $250 + $10 technology fee + $3 per acre

Timeline: 2-3 weeks

Process: Applications can be submitted at any time

May be required base on project scope.

Fee: $250 + $10 technology fee + 1% of project cost (if required)

Timeline: 3-4 weeks

Process: Applications can be submitted at any time

May be required when subdividing property in accordance with Texas state law. 

Fees:

    • Final Plat Fee: $551 + $10 per acre over 1 acre (if required)
    • Minor Plat Fee: $524 + $10 per acre over 1 acre (if required)

Timeline: Allow 2-4 weeks

Process:

    • Submit application and pay fee
    • Application is processed
    • Public notifications are issued
    • Planning and Zoning hearing followed by two readings at City Council meetings
    • Notification of approval or denial

Will be required with new construction or change of property use. 

Fee: Free

Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Ensure compliance with construction and safety codes, processes building permits, and provides information on permit requirements and exemptions. Compliance with section 101.2 of the 2015 IRC is required.

Permitting and Inspections are handled by both Building Safety and Fire Marshal departments. View details on the following department links.

Ensure all final inspections, including the fire system inspection, are completed to confirm that the development meets all applicable codes and regulations.

Permits applications can be submitted at any time during the process, however, building permits will not be issued until you have site plan approval.

As a valued developer partner, your experience matters to us.

Please take a moment to complete our brief Customer Satisfaction Survey — your insights will help us improve our support and better meet your needs.

Development Project Customer Satisfaction Survey

Thank you for your time!

Development Liaison

The Development Liaison can be of assistance by setting up Preliminary Application Conferences with relevant City staff, helping with application submissions, and reviewing/approving application status requests. Additionally, Justin acts as a liaison between local development-related groups, such as developers, contractors, design professionals, and realtors. He communicates and educates these groups on city development ordinances, procedures, and standards to ensure the process runs smoothly and efficiently. Justin Oppel, City of Amarillo Development Liaison, is the administrator for the Zoning Board of Adjustments. The Zoning Board of Adjustments is a citizen court appointed by the City Council to hear Variances, Special Exceptions, and Appeals of interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance by a City Official. Click here for more information about the ZBA.

Justin is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service to the development community, as well as residential and commercial property/business owners. He plays a crucial role in facilitating development projects as they navigate through the municipal development and permitting process. Justin’s main objective is to assist customers in navigating the various development-related regulations, applications, and requirements that are designed to maintain and enhance Amarillo’s quality of life and character.

 Planning Applications Contact Information

  • Development Liaison — Justin Oppel
  • Phone: 806-378-4222
  • Email: justin.oppel@amarillo.gov
  • All fees are payable to: City of Amarillo

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City of Amarillo: Property Taxes Rebated Per Year by Agreement Type 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts of property taxes rebated per year over the last five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. There were no Chapter 380 property tax rebates in the first two years listed. The total amount increased slightly each year, with a more significant increase in the most recent year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Chapter 311 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$574,947 

$591,249 

$821,350 

Chapter 380 

$0 

$0 

$37,387 

$39,172 

$61,013 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the amount of property taxes rebated in the past five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. For each fiscal year there is vertical column, comprised of two stacked columns, each of which representing the different agreement types. 

City of Amarillo: Number of Tax Abatements Granted Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years each had four active abatements, 2022/23 had five, and 2023/24 and 2024/25 each had seven. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Active Abatements Per Year 

4 

4 

5 

7 

7 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the number of active abatements each year. Each year has one column, with the height indicating number of active abatements in that year.

Amount of Taxes Abated Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts abated over the past five fiscal years from Chapter 312 tax abatement agreements. Each fiscal year shows a larger dollar amount abated, with minor growth over the first three years, a higher increase in the fourth year, and minor growth again in the fifth year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Taxes Abated by City of Amarillo 

$510,061 

$623,017 

$679,849 

$965,261 

$1,143,899 

Total Abated by All Entities Including City of Amarillo 

$1,569,512 

$1,926,332 

$2,103,099 

$2,884,936 

$2,959,496 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount of taxes abated over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount abated. The bar representing taxes abated by the City of Amarillo is sightly offset to the side of the bar representing the amount abated by all participating tax entities for each fiscal year. This shows that the amount abated by the City of Amarillo is a part of the total amount abated by all entities.

City of Amarillo: Taxes Rebated Per Year by Type 

Overview 

This chart shows the dollar amounts rebated by the City of Amarillo from economic development incentive agreements over the past five fiscal years. Each year is broken down by rebate type, including property tax rebates, hotel occupancy tax rebates, and sales tax rebates. Each fiscal year shows a slight increase in total dollars rebated, with a more drastic increase in the most recent fiscal year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Property Tax Rebates 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$612,334 

$630,421 

$882,363 

Hotel Occupancy Tax Rebates 

$686,747 

$753,112 

$794,828 

$871,423 

$808,348 

Sales Tax Rebates 

$0 

$21,046 

$55,528 

$45,881 

$368,716 

 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount rebated by the City of Amarillo for each type of tax rebate over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. The different rebate types are stacked vertically in each fiscal year, with the height representing the total dollar amount rebated.