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La Marque council approves industrial rezoning, sewer and water contracts amid economic development pitch
Summary
Council approved an I‑3 heavy industrial rezoning for large port‑adjacent tracts, heard regional economic development groups endorse the change, and awarded construction contracts for sewer and water upgrades totaling roughly $2.5 million combined.
La Marque’s council on Oct. 13 voted to advance a set of land‑use and infrastructure measures aimed at supporting industrial development near the Port of Texas City and to approve several construction contracts to serve growing areas in the city.
Rezoning and economic pitch: After presentations from regional partners including the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and Baytran, the council approved a rezoning to I‑3 (heavy industrial) for multiple large tracts owned by port interests. Supporters said the I‑3 district had been written to exclude the most egregious polluting uses and to create a buffer to adjacent homes; Brian Friedman of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership said the property’s contiguous acreage, rail and waterfront access make it attractive to large distribution users.
Infrastructure awards: Council awarded a $1,102,114 construction contract to JSS Construction LLC for sanitary sewer improvements serving Newman Road, Moss Street and Rosewood Drive and a $1,398,471 contract to Faith Utilities LLC to install a 12‑inch water distribution line from Newman Road to Stonewall Street. Staff said the sewer project will initially use impact‑fee revenue and, if needed, loan funds or tax revenue to complete construction; the 12‑inch water line was described as necessary for a new high school connection and to improve pressure in expanding neighborhoods.
Why it matters: The rezoning and projects are framed by the administration as steps to expand sales‑tax base and job creation and to relieve pressure on property taxes through economic development. Council members acknowledged residents’ environmental and traffic concerns and asked staff to ensure permitting and site plans comply with the city’s I‑3 code and buffer standards.
Votes and next steps: The ordinances and contracts were voted and recorded in the meeting minutes; staff will return with plats and permitting steps, and the council asked for continued public outreach and environmental safeguards as projects move into permitting and construction.
