Ingleside council advances Port of Corpus Christi rezoning after heated public hearing

The City of Ingleside on Tuesday advanced three ordinances to their first reading that would change large parcels owned by the Port of Corpus Christi Authority from single-family residential zoning to industrial or general commercial zoning.

Port of Corpus Christi real estate director Sam Esquivel told the council the authority is asking the city to rezone roughly 2,100 acres — about 1,700 acres in the McCampbell tract plus roughly 374 acres in the Good Hope area — to allow industrial and some expanded commercial uses. After public hearings and discussion, the council voted to move the rezoning measures to the next reading; each motion passed with six votes in favor and one abstention by Mayor Adame.

The rezoning request drew dozens of residents to the public hearing and dozens of public comments, most opposing the change. Residents and neighborhood groups raised concerns about wetlands loss, local drainage impacts, long‑term land use and public-health risks if the property is used for battery energy storage systems or industrial projects tied to hydrogen or ammonia production.

“Please deny the solar farm,” said Michelle Mack of 218 Bayshore Drive during public comment. “I’m convinced that the Port Of Corpus Christi has absolutely no intention of…