On October 9, 2018 the concept of a Master Plan for the ‘North Bay” was presented to the Portland Planning & Zoning Commission. It was the first presentation on the industrial complex that will stretch from the Exxon site to the Lowes in Aransas Pass. You can read the relevant minutes from the meeting below and watch the video on the City of Portland website.
In essence, it is a plan to try and not turn into a Pasadena, a Texas City, or a Baytown/Mont Belvieu. When you invite a large industrial complex into the area, there is no way to avoid a similar outcome.
This is a moment in time that defines our destiny. As you read the minutes and think about it, we have three things we want you to note. First, there is mention of Projects Dynamo and Falcon. If local government and residents of San Patricio County are being asked to plan for their arrival, we have a right to know who they are. We must demand they disclose their identity to see exactly what we are “planning” for. Demand it from all who may know.
Second, note that “individual property owners” are at the bottom of the list of stakeholders. It’s not just like we were an afterthought, but there are many persons affected by the deterioration in air and water quality that are not property owners.
Third, the Planning and Zoning Commission will be making a recommendation to the Portland City Council. We assume all cities will have to be involved in any master plan for the eastern half of the county. We must all make it a priority to watch the agendas of our local governing bodies. Developing a “Master Plan” for the area assumes we will acquiesce in a petrochemical build-out, a massive tank farm or refinery. We want to know who is coming and we will decide if we want them here or not.