The Aransas Pass City Council on Oct. 20 voted to deny a request to rezone a parcel on South Commercial from R-10 residential to Heavy Commercial, a move the applicant said would allow office space and a vehicle staging area for a construction company.

The public hearing drew multiple neighbors who said the proposed heavy commercial use would increase truck traffic, noise, lights and the risk of loose materials blowing into nearby yards. Laverne Pena, who said she owns eight acres adjacent to the site, said the change would “negatively affect the quality of life for residents nearby.” Other speakers who opposed the rezoning included Frank Denny, Pat Urie, Allen Onorado, Doug Massey and Michael Wyatt.

A planning-and-zoning staff summary noted the application came before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 13, where the commission voted to deny the request. The staff report said the applicant, Grant Garrett of Garrett Construction, sought the rezoning to allow office space and a staging area for company vehicles. The P&Z record showed most members of the public who testified were opposed, citing traffic safety near South Commercial and the Shrimpery event grounds, and concerns about material storage and windblown debris.

Council members took public comment and then voted on a motion to deny the rezoning request. The motion carried. No subsequent development approvals for the site were made during the meeting; any future development will be subject to the city’s standard permitting and zoning rules.

The council limited public comments during the hearing and noted the P&Z recommendation and the number of written notices sent to nearby property owners prior to the P&Z hearing.

Votes at a glance: The council adopted a motion to deny the rezoning request; the motion carried.

Ending: The council closed the public hearing after the vote and moved to the next agenda item.