Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Galveston council approves R-0 zoning change amid neighborhood push to limit short-term rentals
Summary
Council approved rezoning a neighborhood to R-0 to preserve single-family character; staff said one property (302 Barracuda) will remain a legal nonconforming short‑term rental until it sells, and neighbors voiced support for protecting the area.
The Galveston City Council voted Dec. 11 to change zoning on a residential neighborhood to R-0, a move staff said is intended to preserve long-term single-family occupancy and limit commercial conversions.
Pete Milburn, planning staff, told the council the request met statutory criteria for R-0 zoning: an estimated 82% of dwellings in the area are owner occupied and 76% of owners initiated the change. He noted that public notices were mailed to 53 addresses with eight returns, seven favoring the change and one in opposition. "Staff recommends approval," Milburn said.
Milburn told the council that the property at 302 Barracuda would become a legally nonconforming use and could continue to operate as a short-term rental until sold, provided the owner registers within 365 days of sale. Neighborhood resident Mary Jo Nashke, speaking for her block, urged the council to preserve the neighborhood character and said neighbors planned to buy 302 Barracuda if it came up for sale. "We just wanna retain the neighborhood," Nashke said.
Council members moved to approve the rezoning and the motion passed at the meeting. Staff and the planning commission had recommended approval; planning staff noted the parcel count that would fall under the R-0 district if the amendment were adopted.
