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Bryan City Council voted at its March 10 meeting to postpone a rezoning request for Made Well House following a lengthy discussion and public comment from the business’s neighbors.
What you need to know
Made Well House is a multifaceted business offering workout classes and other wellness-related services.
The proposal would rezone property at 600-604 East 27th St. in the East Side Historic District to allow expanded wellness-related services.
Officials said the rezoning would establish specific land-use standards for services such as counseling therapy, workout classes, massage services and short-term child care.
The proposal also allows a detached residential dwelling on the property.
Several residents spoke against the request during the meeting, citing concerns about noise, traffic and parking in the residential neighborhood.
It was noted during the meeting that police had been called several times for noise complaints, but when an officer arrived and spoke with the owner, the business was said to be operating within its rights. No citations have been filed.
Some said early morning workout classes have disrupted the area. One longtime neighbor told the council she can hear cars being locked outside her bedroom window as early as 6 a.m.
“It’s not just about too much being done,” resident Betty Smith said. “It was all done without asking, or maybe someone would have said ‘no.’”
Others said they were concerned about preserving what they described as the neighborhood’s character.
Another resident questioned how conditions attached to the rezoning would be enforced.
According to Made Well House
Representatives of the business said it provides valuable services to the community and has worked to address neighbors' concerns. They said the center offers programs designed to support physical, emotional and spiritual wellness, arguing that the services benefit the community.
Made Well House owner Kasey Van Norman told the council she is willing to work with neighbors and explore solutions to address concerns.
“We love our community, we love our neighbors, we love those who are in opposition, and we want to honor them, and we are willing to be creative in how we do that,” Van Norman said.
“With the purchase of [604 East 27th St.], that is where the tension started ... We’ve scaled down because there’s been so much tension and so many calls, just from our surrounding neighbors,” she said. “Really, outside of the few people who’re here that actually live next door to us, I’ve never met the other people speaking against us.”
Right now, Van Norman said Made Well House is supporting 20-22 people, including staff, at its early morning classes. She said she gets 60-80 people on the property per day.
What the council is saying
City Council members said they wanted additional clarification about the request and more communication between the business and nearby residents before making a decision.
Council member James Edge raised concerns about how the property might be used by a future owner if the zoning is approved. Council member Jared Salvato said he sympathized with neighbors as a parent with a small child, but also spoke to the good work of Made Well House.
Ultimately, the council voted 4-2 to postpone the item until a future meeting to allow Van Norman to clarify the proposal and continue problem-solving with her neighbors.
The item is expected to return to Bryan City Council for consideration at its next meeting April 14.
Also on the agenda
At the March 10 meeting, council members also unanimously passed an economic development agreement between the city of Bryan and Messer LLC, a large industrial gas company, as previously reported.
