Port Arthur council hears three zoning measures, residents raise truck-noise and diesel-fume concerns

Port Arthur City Council opened public hearings May 6 on three planning items: a rezoning request to make roughly 220.7 acres a planned development for single-family homes and neighborhood retail; a citywide zoning text amendment to allow automobile-related uses in the city's light and heavy industrial districts; and a specific-use permit request for a proposed neighborhood shopping center (one half proposed as a washeteria) at 3645 and 3635 30th Ninth Street.

Why it matters: the measures change where and how housing and vehicle-related businesses can locate in Port Arthur, and residents raised public-safety and livability concerns — especially near low-density neighborhoods and along rail corridors.

City planner presentation and scope Miss Milo, the city staff presenter, told council the map-amendment application (filed Jan. 7, 2025) would rezone Lots 5–7, Block 10, Tract 1 (about 220.7 acres) from commercial retail to a planned development district to allow about 35 single-family lots plus several small retail/strip centers adjacent to Memorial High School. Milo said Planning & Zoning held a special meeting Feb. 20 and recommended approval 3-0; no written objections were received in the 200-foot notice radius. Milo walked council through the conceptual rendering and said the final ordinance would set the precise uses and standards for the planned development.

Citywide amendment for automobile uses Milo also presented a proposed zoning text amendment to Appendix A, Section 3.03 (land-use table) to explicitly add automobile-related uses (tire sales, automobile sales and repair, automobile option, auto parts, minor repair) into the light and heavy industrial districts. Milo said the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval. She said notices were mailed citywide via the April water-bill cycle and published in the Port Arthur News.

Public comments: noise, diesel fumes, truck traffic Several residents turned out to oppose the expansion of industrial uses near homes. Jordan Herrera, of 2224 Second Avenue, said heavy equipment and 18-wheelers operate next to homes for long hours and described diesel exhaust, high noise levels and late-night work that he said had worsened after prior complaints. Chief of Police and code-enforcement staff responded that officers and code enforcement have responded previously, issued a citation in at least one instance and that some uses (heavy truck activity) are permitted by the current 1989 zoning for the area Herrera described. Staff said notices were handled via the water bill because the text amendment is citywide rather than a 200-foot-radius case.

Council questions and clarifications Mayor Pro Tem Beckham, whose district includes the rezoning site, pressed staff on the housing and retail mix, confirming the conceptual plan showed about 35 single-family lots and several small strip centers. Milo said the planned development ordinance would be drafted to allow typically residential-supporting commercial uses by right (convenience stores, offices, restaurants) while activities such as game rooms would require a specific-use permit. Council members asked whether planned development approval would allow multifamily; staff said the proposal calls for single-family lots and the PD's ordinance language would control allowed uses. Councilmember Lewis asked and staff confirmed the Planning & Zoning recommendation was approval and reviewed the statutory voting thresholds under the Texas Local Government Code (Sections 211.006 and 211.007): a simple majority of council is required if Planning & Zoning recommends approval.

Specific-use permit: 3645–3635 30th Ninth Street On the specific-use permit for a small shopping center (one half described in the packet as a 3,000-square-foot washeteria), applicant representative Dr. Haney said the spaces are for lease; staff clarified that neighborhood-service uses (convenience stores, offices, washeterias) would be allowed by right under the existing PD but more intense uses would require specific-use review by Planning & Zoning.

What council did Council closed the public hearings on the items but did not record final ordinance votes on the rezonings or text amendments in the transcript excerpt. Staff confirmed the matters remain available for council action after the public-hearing record is complete; any formal approval would be taken in a subsequent action item and requires the statutory vote thresholds noted by staff.

What comes next Staff said the planned development will be drafted into an ordinance for council consideration; applicants will need to comply with any PD standards and required permits. Council and staff repeatedly told residents that if businesses exceed permitted hours or produce violations (noise, nuisances, hazardous emissions) they should call code enforcement or police to document incidents so staff can enforce codes.

Ending Council members and staff said they would bring the formal ordinance back for consideration after drafting the PD and confirming notice requirements. Residents said they would continue to press for enforcement where heavy equipment and truck operations affect nearby homes.