Freeport board approves Willow Breeze Memorial Park replat for cremated remains

The City of Freeport approved a replat on Feb. 27 to create Willow Breeze Memorial Park, a 9.8845-acre subdivision in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction intended to provide low-cost burial plots for cremated remains. The public hearing opened at 6:06 p.m., staff recommended approval, and the board voted unanimously to adopt the replat.

Keith Morgan, an applicant, told the board he and his business partner, Rolando de la Fuente, intend the development to accommodate urn-only plots and to be easy to maintain. "We're only gonna do ashes and urns," Morgan said, explaining the choice was driven partly by flood-zone constraints and by an effort to limit the project’s cost and upkeep. He described the finished site as “looking like a park” and said the intent is to begin with one section and use a declaration of dedication to set that portion in perpetuity once plots are placed.

City staff told the board the proposed replat does not alter zoning or existing public right-of-way, that subdivision authority applies even in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, and that the plan complies with the City of Freeport’s adopted subdivision regulations. Morgan referenced a state statutory threshold tied to 10 acres that, he said, affected regulatory obligations for the planned cemetery use.

Following the presentation and comments, the board closed the public hearing at about 6:12 p.m. An unidentified board member moved to approve the replat; the motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

The board did not identify additional conditions in the hearing record; staff’s recommendation noted approval was subject to compliance with applicable City of Freeport ordinances and codes. The item will proceed under the city’s subdivision process and any required administrative follow-up by staff.