The Rockport City Council unanimously postponed action on a conditional-use permit (CUP) that would allow a park-model RV to be used as an office or occupied dwelling on property at 2562 FM 3036.

City code enforcement staff and the planner on the dais recommended denial, telling council this use could set a precedent that would circumvent residential zoning. Miss Petrie, a city staff member, said staff “highly recommends denial” and warned that approving one CUP of this type could prompt many similar requests.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition. Kate Putz, an adjacent property owner, told the council she has repeatedly asked the property owners to replant vegetation after they cut down trees and that the property owners had not kept promises made previously. Putz said she was concerned the unit could become derelict if the owners don’t remain on the property and that the couple’s background in real estate meant “they know the rules and regulations...and decided to disregard them.”

Andrew Kane, a resident who spoke during both Citizens to Be Heard and again during this item, said the unit in question is 399 square feet and argued the owners bought it to avoid property taxes. Kane said the RV’s size keeps it taxable only as an RV under county rules and that allowing the CUP would be “100% against codes set forth in our city ordinances” unless the council changed the code for everyone.

During council discussion, members said they had not previously received neighborhood opposition and that the new testimony made them reconsider. One councilmember moved to postpone the item to the next regular meeting so staff could follow up; another councilmember seconded. The motion to postpone passed unanimously. The item will return to the council on the city’s next regular meeting agenda.