Port Arthur commission approves specific-use permit for second Affordable Auto lot

The Port Arthur Planning and Zoning Commission on July 7 approved a specific-use permit allowing Affordable Auto Enterprises to operate an automobile sales location at 1801 Woodworth Boulevard.

Planning staff introduced Case Z25-06 and said the property owner is Derek Graham and the applicant is Affordable Auto Enterprises. Miss Harries, a planning staff member, told commissioners the request covers Lot 11 and Lot 12, Block 327 in the City of Port Arthur, totaling 0.324 acres, and that the current zoning is commercial retail. She said the application was filed on or around May 23, 2025, and that 19 notices were mailed to adjacent property owners and the hearing was published in the Port Arthur newspaper in advance of the July 7 hearing.

The matter came to the commission after code inspectors discovered operations at the site, Miss Harries said. "We did put a stop work order on him and then we did give him an opportunity to understand the process," she said, adding that Graham was present and could speak for his project.

Derek Graham, who identified himself as the property owner and said he operates another Affordable Auto location at 2735 Gulfway Drive, said he had not realized the second site required this permitting process. "I didn't know that we have to go through all of this," Graham said, describing efforts to transfer licenses and reopen the lot. He said the location at 1801 had cars on site because he believed he only needed to amend his license.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the permit would allow repairs as well as sales. Miss Harries and a commissioner clarified that the ordinance as written lists "automobile, repair and sales," but that Graham indicated the site would be used for sales only. Miss Harries noted the distinction was important because repair operations can create longer-term storage of inoperable vehicles and other neighborhood impacts.

During the meeting staff also placed the application in the context of a broader city enforcement effort. Mr. Bauer, identified as senior planner, said the city had undertaken a strike force to inspect auto sales and mechanic shops citywide and that the effort would continue. "About a month or so ago, we went out and we did a lot of them on Gulfway, really," Bauer said. "Tomorrow we're going on our second strike force to go in after some other people that we didn't do the first time. It's going to be a continuing process."

After discussion, a commissioner moved and another seconded approval of Case Z25-06. The chair called for the ayes and the motion carried. The record shows the commission approved the specific-use permit; a roll-call tally was not read into the record during the vote.

The permit allows Affordable Auto Enterprises to operate automobile sales at the 1801 Woodworth Boulevard site under the specific-use permit approved by the commission. Staff said the stop-work order and the broader enforcement program aim to bring existing operations into compliance with city ordinances.

The commission did not specify conditions attached to the permit during the public record. The approved action and staff's enforcement remarks indicate the city plans ongoing inspections of vehicle sales and repair operations to enforce zoning and related codes.