El Campo council approves tint-shop permit, downtown rezoning, housing support, spoil‑fill sale and police vehicle purchase

The El Campo City Council on Jan. 20 approved a special‑use permit for an auto window‑tint shop, rezoned several downtown parcels to Central Business District, authorized conditional support for a rehabilitation of Oakcrest South Apartments, approved sale of spoil‑fill material from a detention‑pond project and approved the purchase of two marked police vehicles.

The council approved Resolution R2025‑06 expressing support for a redevelopment application for Oakcrest South Apartments and authorizing a conditional city funding commitment to strengthen the project's application to the state housing agency. Tim Smith, who identified himself as with Hope Development Services, told the council the owner intends to refinance an existing USDA loan and use tax‑credit equity to complete a substantial rehabilitation. Smith said the planned work is “just rehab” and not an expansion; he described new roofs, air conditioning, cabinetry and appliances rather than full gut rehabs. He said the application will be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing Community Affairs and that a small city commitment — discussed in the meeting as $250 and possibly a fee waiver — would help the application score. Councilmember Hancock moved approval and the…