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Council approves SCUP amendment to allow longshoremen's union hiring hall in Avera reserve
Summary
Councils approved an amendment to the Avera special conditional use permit to allow several NAICS uses so a longshoremen's union hiring hall can be built on about 60 of 72 acres; staff reported a 7-0 P&Z recommendation and the ordinance was adopted following public support and traffic questions.
The La Porte City Council voted to approve an amendment to the Avera special conditional use permit that will allow a longshoremen's union hiring hall on roughly 60 of the site's 72 acres.
Planning staff explained the amendment would add several NAICS codes (sector 81 categories) as permitted uses within Reserve 3 to accommodate the union's hiring hall. Staff said 56 notices were mailed to property owners within 300 feet, two outside-notification opponents were recorded, and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0.
Charles Montgomery, a retired ILA worker who said many union members live in the La Porte area, spoke in support and described the hiring hall as "a much needed item." Council members asked about hours and traffic; Montgomery said hiring typically occurs multiple times a day and that plants use off-duty law enforcement for traffic control as needed.
Staff read the ordinance adopting the amendment (Ordinance No. 2026-5045) and the council approved the measure by voice vote. The ordinance preserves previously established conditions from earlier SCUP approvals unless specifically amended.
The council recorded no formal opposition during the vote and adopted the ordinance, which staff said does not amend other site conditions except to allow the listed NAICS uses.
Community relevance: the change allows a union hiring-hall use within a larger mixed-use site that staff expect will remain primarily non-trucking in nature; staff and supporters said traffic controls are expected to rely on shift timing and potential off-duty traffic management.
