Port Arthur planning commission approves two residential replats and Pleasure Island marina plat

The City of Port Arthur Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 3 to approve two replat requests and a plat to define tracts serving Pleasure Island Marina, commission minutes and meeting remarks show.

The approvals included case R25-02 (replat of Lots 6 and 7, Block 22, Bridal Addition, into Tract 6-A), case R25-03 (division of part of Lot 3, Block 4, Port Acres, into Tracts 3-A and 3-B) and P25-1 (Pleasure Island Marina Phase 1, a plat creating two tracts with access to existing marina facilities). Each item passed after a motion and second and an "aye" vote recorded as carrying the motion.

Commissioners were presented with standard staff reports showing property descriptions, zoning and notification details. For R25-02, staff identified the property owner as Solomon Fields at 821 A Lincoln Avenue and said the combined lot will measure 140 feet by 50 feet (7,000 square feet), or about 0.1604 acre, with current zoning of medium-density residential. The report said an application was submitted Dec. 30, 2024, and that 31 notices were mailed to property owners within a 200-foot radius and published in the Port Arthur newspaper at least 15 days before the hearing.

Harry, planning staff, told the commission that the replat "is to combine 2 lots into 1 tract for single-family residential," and confirmed the public-notice steps. When a member of the public asked whether nearby parcels owned by the Joyce Landry estate were included in the replat, Melanie Washington said, "My name is Melanie Washington. My address is 4819 Orvillea Lane, Houston, Texas. The property is Joyce Landry Estate," and asked whether the estate's lots were affected. Harry replied, "Your property is not affected at all. Just by law, when they do any replats or zone changes, we have to notify property owners within a 200 foot radius." That exchange closed without further opposition.

Case R25-03, filed by Sema Dorado Investments for property between 63rd and 64th streets in Port Acres, was described by staff as a division of part of one lot into two tracts for single-family residential use. Staff reported the total acreage as 1.615 acres, current zoning as low-density residential, and that 12 notices were mailed Jan. 16, 2025, with publication at least 15 days before the hearing. No members of the public spoke for or against R25-03 at the hearing.

P25-1 covered a City of Port Arthur property at 410 Pleasure Pier Drive and was presented as "Pleasure Island Marina Phase 1," covering 3.841 acres with no proposed zoning change (mixed use to remain mixed use). Staff said the plat defines two tracts to provide access to existing marina facilities; the application was filed Jan. 6, 2025, and 42 notices were mailed Jan. 17, 2025. A resident identifying herself as Tajene, who said she owns 1030 North Wind on Pleasure Island, asked whether the plat would affect her gated community: "I just had questions if it was gonna affect inside of that gated community." Staff told her the plat would not affect the gated community, and she did not register opposition.

The commission took the two replat cases together for deliberation and later voted to accept both. The commission then voted to accept the Pleasure Island Marina plat. No amendments to the proposals were offered in the meeting record, and no votes against or abstentions were recorded in the minutes; each motion was announced as carried following an "aye" vote.

At the end of the meeting staff notified commissioners of a possible special meeting on Feb. 20 to consider a zone-change request in an area described as mixed-use residential and shopping centers; staff said a formal report would be provided ahead of that date. The commission adjourned after a brief staff report with availability confirmed by several commissioners.

Votes at a glance R25-02 — Replat (Solomon Fields, 821 A Lincoln Ave): Approved (motion and second; ayes carried). Application filed Dec. 30, 2024; 31 notices mailed within 200-foot radius; lot combined into Tract 6-A (7,000 sq. ft.; 0.1604 acre).

R25-03 — Replat (Sema Dorado Investments, Port Acres): Approved (motion and second; ayes carried). Application filed Jan. 6, 2025; 12 notices mailed within 200-foot radius; total acreage 1.615 acres; divided into Tracts 3-A and 3-B.

P25-1 — Plat, Pleasure Island Marina Phase 1 (City of Port Arthur, 410 Pleasure Pier Drive): Approved (motion and second; ayes carried). Application filed Jan. 6, 2025; 42 notices mailed; 3.841 acres; no zoning change proposed.

Commissioners and staff took no further action at the hearing to delay or modify the plats; the items will proceed consistent with local platting procedures.