Freeport council approves rezoning of South B block so homeowner can rebuild

The Freeport City Council on a unanimous vote approved Ordinance 2026-2768 to rezone the 200 block of South B from C2 general commercial to R1 single-family residential, a change council members said would allow a longtime property owner to rebuild a family home.

The request followed public comment from the property owner identified in the hearing as Ms. Baylor, who told council she had paid taxes on the lot since she was about 18, lost two houses to fire and only learned the parcel had been rezoned when she sought a building permit. “I didn’t get a letter saying it was going to get rezoned,” she said, asking council to approve the change so she could continue a family tradition of living on the site.

Staff and council members confirmed the rezoning request went before the Planning & Zoning Commission, which recommended rezoning the entire 200 block. Mr. Harris and Dr. Kelly summarized that the applicant filed the proper permit application and paid the required fee to place the matter before the commission; staff recommended the council accept the P&Z recommendation.

Councilman Davis moved to approve the ordinance; Councilman Rosso seconded. The council called the question and the motion passed unanimously. Council members framed the vote as adding a “rooftop” (housing) to Freeport and emphasized that the applicant had followed the application process.

The ordinance approved a legal description covering Velasco, Freeport, block 12, lots 13 through 19, and conditions the rezoning on compliance with applicable city ordinances and adopted codes. No additional conditions or amendments were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The council closed the public hearing at 6:41 p.m. and proceeded to the next agenda item.