Ingleside council approves first reading to rezone ~300 acres at Highway 361 and Avenue B to industrial

Ingleside — The City Council on first reading approved an ordinance to rezone property generally located at Highway 361 and Avenue B from R-1 (single-family residential) to industrial, the council announced during its regular meeting. The landowner is the Port of Texas; the combined parcels described at the hearing total roughly 299.77 acres.

The rezoning drew public comment and sustained council discussion about cleanup, buffers and future uses. Scott Kilgore, superintendent of Eagleside ISD, said the school district would not take a position for or against the rezoning but urged the council and property owner to prioritize student safety. "These are our most vulnerable population... I ask that safety be the number 1 priority of our kids," Kilgore said during citizen comments.

An attorney representing the Port of Texas told the council the property previously used by Humble Oil is undergoing a TCEQ voluntary cleanup and said the owner contends deed restrictions, easements and pipelines limit uses to a tank farm. "Without that special use, this matter will not be resolved," the attorney said, asking the council to act so pending legal issues can be resolved.

City planning staff and the planning and zoning commission recommended industrial zoning. Bernard, city planning staff, said the city's future land-use map designates the area for heavy industrial uses and that the industrial district would be the most suitable zoning for the site. He told the council the territory was temporarily classified R-1 at annexation and the city is following the procedure to adopt permanent zoning.

Several residents pressed for stronger cleanup and buffer measures. Resident Courtney Shane asked that the landowner perform a "cradle to the grave" cleanup and urged a larger buffer. Martha Hoblitzel asked council to consider a safety buffer around public schools — telling the council she would like to see a larger setback for industrial development near schools.

Council members asked staff to confirm several details: 66 notices were mailed to adjacent property owners (staff said most returned were in opposition); the future land-use map was last updated in 2022; and staff said cleanup work on the property is "nearly complete" under TCEQ oversight. Council members also noted that a separate special-use permit (SUP) or site plan would be required for higher‑impact operations and that those applications would be subject to negotiated conditions, including buffer distances. Council discussion referenced a previously reviewed site plan tied to a special-use application that included a 400-foot buffer from existing homes while the base industrial district includes a 100-foot spacing requirement in code.

Council moved and approved the first reading of the rezoning ordinance. Several council members voted in favor; Mayor Adame abstained. The vote advances the rezoning process but does not itself permit a specific industrial project. If an applicant later seeks a special‑use permit or site plan, that application would return to the council for separate review and vote.

Why it matters: The rezoning changes the legal zoning classification for a large consolidated area near residential neighborhoods and the high school, a step that can alter what types of industrial development the city will consider. Residents and school officials emphasized safety and cleanup oversight during public comment.

Next steps: The ordinance passed first reading; the council will consider subsequent readings and any future special‑use or site‑plan applications on a case‑by‑case basis. The city staff said it will post mailed public comments on the city website for review.