Bridgeport council approves rezoning, industrial permit, sign variances, street resurfacing and consultant contracts

The Bridgeport City Council on an unanimous 5-0 vote this meeting approved a set of land-use and administrative actions including a rezoning ordinance for property at 1809 Ninth Street, a specific-use permit for a used cooking-oil recycling plant on a 65.53-acre industrial parcel, sign-ordinance variances for a proposed Kwik Trip, a $251,487.85 change order to continue street resurfacing, and consultant contracts to update the city's development ordinances and advise on tax-increment reinvestment zones (TIRs).

The approvals move several development and public-works items forward: the rezoning converts a 0.29-acre parcel from single-family residential (R-1) to commercial (C); the specific-use permit (SUP) allows a used cooking-oil recycling plant in the city's industrial district; the sign variances permit a pole sign of 229.4 square feet and a monument sign of 53.1 square feet for the planned Kwik Trip; and the streets change order will add resurfacing on Eighth, Cobb, Tenth and Brush streets.

Votes at a glance: - Rezone 1809 Ninth Street (R-1 to C): motion approved 5-0. This reclassification affects a 0.29-acre lot described in the James B. Floyd survey, abstract 313. (Motion and passage recorded on the public hearing record.) - Specific-use permit for used cooking-oil recycling plant (65.53 acres, Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado RR survey, abstract 117): SUP granted 5-0. The applicant plans an 80 by 120-foot processing building, temporary office buildings during construction, and a rail spur; city staff and economic-development officials said the facility will ship cleaned grease by rail for biodiesel production and send solid and enriched water waste off-site to composting facilities. Neighbor feedback included one written concern; planning staff reported Planning & Zoning recommended approval. - Sign-ordinance variances for Kwik Trip at 3370 S. State St.: variances approved 5-0. Requested pole sign surface area: 229.4 sq ft (city limit per side: 100 sq ft). Requested monument sign: 53.1 sq ft (city limit per side: 35 sq ft). The packet included site plans and renderings; a company representative, Tariq Samuels, was present. - Streets change order for Major Works: approved 5-0. Change order amount: $251,487.85 to resurface Eighth, Cobb, Tenth and Brush streets. - Contract with Dunaway Associates LLC: approved 5-0 (subject to city attorney's modifications as requested by council). Dunaway will examine and recommend a comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning and subdivision ordinances and facilitate a public engagement process. - Contracts with P3 Works to serve as the city's TIRs consultant: approved 5-0. Two separate agreements cover two TIRs. - Appointment to Main Street Board: Oliver Emmert appointed 5-0.

Council members and staff said they expect the zoning overhaul and consultant work to reduce the need for piecemeal ordinance amendments in the future and to prepare the city for continued growth. The change-order approval was presented as not increasing the current streets budget but as leveraging available pricing to continue resurfacing work.

No motions failed. Several motions were made from the dais and seconded; the minutes list motions, seconds, and a result of "passes 5-0" for the items above.

Background and next steps: the rezoning and SUP were considered in public hearings with required mailed notices and were recommended by Planning & Zoning. For the SUP, staff and economic-development officials emphasized the property's industrial zoning, proximity to rail operated by Bridgeport Switching and Trackworks, and the company's representations that waste streams will be handled off-site or shipped by rail. The Dunaway contract begins a formal process that will include a stakeholder committee and public input opportunities before any new zoning or subdivision ordinance is adopted.

Council recorded the formal roll-call votes as unanimous (5-0) for the listed items. For matters that will return to council (such as draft development agreements tied to proposed subdivisions and any future incentives), staff said more detailed financials and recommended contract language will be circulated to council prior to a decision.