Lufkin council approves first-reading zoning changes for Newsome Avenue and John Ritter Drive; nominates Jimmy Ford to appraisal district board

The Lufkin City Council conducted public hearings and approved on first reading two zoning ordinance changes and a resolution to nominate a city council member to the Angelina County Appraisal District board.

At a public hearing, staff member Kevin presented a request to rezone 636 Newsome Avenue from Residential Large to Duplex. Kevin said the property is currently occupied by a daycare facility that is no longer operating and that the stated intent is to convert two existing structures into one residential duplex. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a 4–1 vote; staff reported receiving one letter of opposition within the 200-foot notification area. No public speakers came forward during the hearing, and the council approved the ordinance on first reading after council comments and a voice vote.

Kevin also presented a separate rezoning request for 1507 South John Ritter Drive, made on behalf of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the East District Texas Annual Conference. The request would change the property from Residential Large to Local Business to allow future development of a property currently used as an office building. Staff reported two letters of opposition and two letters of support in the 200-foot notification area; Planning and Zoning recommended the request unanimously. Council members discussed the property's shape, comprehensive plan designations near the loop, and permitted uses under Local Business zoning before moving and approving the ordinance on first reading. Mike Parker was present to answer questions about the item when requested by council.

On a separate item the council considered a resolution to select a nominee as the City of Lufkin's candidate for the Angelina County Appraisal District board of directors and to authorize the city manager to cast the city's votes for that nominee. After nominations, the council nominated Jimmy Ford to fill the position and approved the resolution; the motion carried.

The meeting opened with the public comment period, which closed with no speakers, and the council approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting. No final ordinance numbers or detailed voting tallies were provided in the public discussion; council action was recorded by voice as "aye" with no opposition announced for the items reported.