Temple 2013 permits indicate rapid growth

TEMPLE, BELTON – Temple issued more building permits in 2013 than in 2012, while Belton’s numbers mostly remained steady. Temple issued 556 new residential permits in 2013 compared to 519 issued in 2012. The city issued 27 new commercial permits, one fewer than in 2012.

Housing starts and building permits are generally viewed as indicators of economic growth.

Belton issued 121 new single-family permits in 2013, which was one more than the city issued in 2012. The city also issued seven new commercial permits in 2013, compared to 22 in 2012.

Commercial permits can be misleading, however, due to the length of the review process cities use before issuing permits, according to Belton Planning Director Erin Newcomer. The addition of several University of Mary Hardin-Baylor facilities in 2012 drove permit numbers up for that year as well.