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Local couple pitches charitable bingo at old H‑E‑B; council raises neighborhood zoning concerns
Summary
Jordan and Cassie Terry proposed a charitable bingo hall at the old H‑E‑B site; they described evening sessions, vetted local charities and third‑party financial oversight. Council raised concerns that rezoning B‑1 would apply citywide and suggested pursuing a conditional‑use review and further planner review or a different commercial zone.
Jordan and Cassie Terry told the Lake Jackson City Council they hope to lease the old H‑E‑B site and operate a fully charitable bingo hall whose proceeds would benefit local nonprofits.
"We give a lot of our time, a lot of effort," Jordan Terry said. He described the Terrys’ long involvement with charitable work and said the proposed bingo operation would direct proceeds to vetted 501(c)(3) organizations. Cassie Terry said the facility would primarily operate evening sessions (roughly 5–10 p.m.), often five nights a week, and could host special‑needs and senior sessions; she added the operation would use an independent third party to handle and distribute funds under Texas regulatory rules.
City staff and council members asked detailed operational questions — expected draw area, staffing, security, typical attendance and whether alcohol would be served. The applicants said they would hire security, use cameras, prohibit alcohol and operate a small snack bar. Cassie Terry said vetting for beneficiary charities is handled by a neutral party and that the bingo operator would not have direct access to the charitable funds.
Council and staff repeatedly noted that a zoning change to allow charitable bingo in B‑1 would change the rules for all B‑1 parcels citywide. Council members suggested two possible paths: (1) have planners evaluate the request under a conditional‑use process that sets location‑specific conditions (hours, parking, etc.), or (2) consider rezoning to a commercial zone such as C‑1 if council favors broader allowance but wants to avoid placing neighborhood business parcels at risk. Several council members recommended starting with the conditional‑use route and bringing the matter to planners for detailed conditions and a public notice process.
No formal zoning change or vote was taken. Council asked staff to continue working with the applicants and to provide mapping and notification options for future consideration.
