Council postpones rezoning request for Madewell Ministries after neighbors raise noise and parking concerns

The Bryan City Council postponed a decision on a planned‑development rezoning request for roughly 0.396 acres at the northeast corner of East 27th Street and South Preston Avenue after residents raised persistent concerns about noise, parking and traffic.

Staff presented the rezoning as a site‑specific PD (planned development) to codify existing services at the Madewell Ministries property and to add operational standards including lighting limits, a noise standard consistent with city code, a 12‑person limit for fitness classes and signage setbacks. Martin Zimmerman, director of development services, said the PD would preserve the East Side Historic Overlay District requirements for the portion of the site within that overlay, and that off‑site parking agreements with St. Joseph and First United Methodist Church should be finalized and recorded by September 30 as proposed in the ordinance.

Neighbors told the council they regularly hear early‑morning workout classes and loud activity, and described high parking impacts near homes. Resident Bob Occhio said he observed the gym door open and music playing and estimated about 45 cars in the parking lot during peak times; Betty Smith and others told the council the activity had disturbed sleep and changed neighborhood character. Several speakers framed the issue as a conflict between the property’s evolving uses and the East Side Historic District’s intent.

Casey Van Norman, owner and director of Madewell Ministries, told the council the nonprofit provides counseling, medical and fitness services and has tried to work with neighbors. Van Norman said the operation opened in 2023, has an existing parking agreement with the adjacent churches, and that police had not issued noise citations on the calls she attended. She estimated the site now sees about 60–80 visits a day, that about 20 people are on site for the 6 a.m. workout class, and that the organization has about 330 monthly members. Van Norman also said the group is under contract to lease a nearby office (the Rick Davis building) and planned to relocate some services there to reduce concentration on the historic‑district property.

Council members discussed enforcement options, what restrictions would “run with the land” after a rezoning, and whether the PD could add clearer language to limit future uses. Councilmember (speaker 5) moved to postpone the item to the next meeting to provide time for the applicant and neighbors to clarify language and reach agreement; the motion was seconded and passed after a show of hands. The council directed staff and the applicant to refine PD language on permitted uses, off‑site parking obligations and any time‑of‑day limitations for outdoor activities.

The council did not take a final vote on the rezoning ordinance; the item was postponed to the next regular meeting, giving the parties time to negotiate clearer PD terms and for staff to present revised language.

Next steps: the rezoning will return at the next council meeting for further consideration; staff said any outstanding off‑site parking agreements should be finalized by September 30 under the draft ordinance and that the council could initiate a city‑led rezoning if compliance remains an issue.