Freeport City Council on Oct. 1 voted 4–1 to table a rezoning application submitted by developer Clinton Wong that seeks to rezone roughly 300 acres in the East End from residential to industrial use.

Background and planning commission action: Planning & Zoning had reviewed the application at its August meeting and voted unanimously to recommend denial. Planning commissioners and several public speakers said the parcel is one of the last large residentially zoned tracts in the city and that portions had been designated for parkland in earlier planning. Speakers urged the council to preserve housing opportunities and to reject the rezoning.

Council discussion and reasons to table: Council members who supported tabling said additional legal review is necessary because the city's prior agreements and the 2014 urban-renewal planning assumptions (including park and housing commitments) create unresolved questions. One councilmember argued tabling would permit negotiation with the developer in good faith and allow a new city manager and staff to be involved; another councilmember argued a denial followed by invitation to negotiate would be more productive because tabling could allow the developer to delay action. Several councilmembers asked legal staff to brief council on the city's legal standing and any contractual obligations before taking final action.

Outcome: Motion to table carried 4–1. Council asked staff to pursue meetings with the developer and for legal to provide advice; the council majority emphasized negotiation and fact-finding rather than immediate denial.

Community input: Neighbors and a planning commissioner urged the council to reject the rezoning and to prioritize housing on the urban-renewal acreage. The planning commissioner noted acreage discrepancies in application materials and the absence of a plan to replace parkland if park-designated tracts are converted.

Next steps: Council asked legal staff to prepare a briefing and recommended that the city invite the developer to meet in person to discuss a mutually agreeable plan. The item will return to council after staff and legal follow-up.