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Planning and Zoning Commission recommends joint public hearing on SUP for 406 East Main
Summary
The Clute Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a joint public hearing with City Council on Feb. 12, 2026, for a Specific Use Permit to operate a church at 406 East Main. Building and fire officials said remaining work is limited to routine plumbing, electrical and exit-lighting permits and reinspections.
The Clute Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 6 to recommend a joint public hearing with the City Council on a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a church to operate at 406 East Main.
Staff proposed the joint hearing for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m., and the commission approved sending the SUP to council for that date. Staff introduced the applicant’s petition and said some work at the former Temple Baptist site has begun but that several permits remain to be pulled before final sign-off.
"I've allowed two permits to be pulled down there — one to do some bridging over the old existing sanctuary," the building official, Jerry, said, adding that he also issued a permit for a water heater. He told commissioners that outstanding items on the inspection list include plumbing and electrical permits that must be pulled and reinspected before final approval.
Chief Fitch of the fire marshal’s office told the commission the building does not require a sprinkler system because it will continue to operate as a church and therefore remains under the older threshold. "Because it is going to continue to operate as a church, it does not need it — it stays under the old requirements of the 300 versus the new requirements of a 100," Chief Fitch said. He added that a change of use to a nonchurch business would trigger the newer sprinkling requirement.
Applicant Pastor Steve Velez described the congregation’s work in the community and the safety upgrades already completed: "We have installed the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. All of the fire extinguishers are all brand new, and they've been tagged in Freeport," he said. Velez said new exit lights will be installed this week and that much of the list of required fixes is already addressed.
Commissioners and staff described the inspection process: once contractors pull the remaining plumbing and electrical permits and notify the city, inspectors will re-inspect the work and the fire marshal will confirm code compliance.
With those steps noted, the commission moved, seconded and approved the recommendation to the City Council to set a joint public hearing on Feb. 12 to consider the SUP. The commission did not record individual roll-call votes during the voice vote.
Next steps: the SUP will proceed to a joint public hearing with City Council on Feb. 12, 2026; applicants must complete the listed permits and pass re-inspections before any certificate of occupancy or final approval.
