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Council approves zoning change on Stewart Road despite concerns about potential RV use
Summary
The council approved rezoning of 11243 Stewart Road from single‑family residential to commercial (HDD‑6 overlay retained). Council discussed whether commercial zoning could enable RV parking/storage and asked about right‑of‑way and standards; the motion passed 6–1.
The Galveston City Council on Jan. 22 approved an ordinance changing the base zoning for a parcel commonly known as 11243 Stewart Road from residential single‑family to commercial while retaining the HDD‑6 overlay.
Planning staff said the change would bring the parcel’s base zoning into alignment with nearby commercial uses and that single‑family detached housing would remain allowed under the new zoning. The applicant’s brief narrative, read aloud by staff, stated the land abuts Stella Marie RV Resort and said potential future development could include RV parking, RV storage and a small convenience store, though the applicant did not present a specific development plan.
Council members pressed staff about compatibility, abandoned right‑of‑way status, and whether an RV park would meet limited‑use standards. Staff said limited‑use standards and potential PUD processes could constrain future RV‑park proposals; one councilmember voted against the change citing discomfort approving a zoning change without a specific development description. The motion to approve carried 6–1.
Why it matters: Rezoning expands the range of allowed uses on a large tract along Stewart Road and could ease future development or sale; council’s limited information about concrete project plans prompted questions about potential land use outcomes.
Next steps: Any specific development proposals would be subject to permitting standards and possible PUD or special‑use review.
