Bryan City Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request for Made Well House at its April 14 meeting. This will allow wellness services to continue in the East Side Historic District. (Karley Cross/Community Impact)
Bryan City Council voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request for Made Well House at its April 14 meeting. This will allow wellness services to continue in the East Side Historic District. The decision followed months of discussion between the local business and neighborhood.
This rezoning changes the classification of the properties at 600-604 E. 27th St. to a Planned Development District, establishing specific land-use standards for wellness-related services.
Made Well House in Bryan proposes a rezoning to allow wellness-related services in the residential neighborhood. (Courtesy city of Bryan)
Made Well House offers fitness classes, counseling and community wellness programs. The zoning approval will allow those services to continue.
The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval of the request.
What neighbors are saying
Similar to the March 14 meeting, public comment reflected a divided neighborhood.
Some residents opposed the rezoning, saying increased commercial activity could affect safety and livability in what they described as a family-oriented residential area.
Mike Kilgore, a father to a 10-month-old, told the council traffic has become a growing concern as young families move into the neighborhood, noting limited sidewalks and narrow streets.
“As of last summer, there were five newborn babies born just around the 27th Street block,” he said. “As these children begin to walk this summer, I’m very concerned about their safety in our neighborhood.”
Made Well House’s across-the-street neighbor Betty Smith reiterated her opposition, saying the issue was not the services themselves but whether the use was appropriate for homes in a historic neighborhood.
What supporters are saying
Several speakers voiced their support, describing Made Well House as a community resource providing mental, physical and emotional wellness services.
Made Well House offers wellness services including fitness and counseling. (Karley Cross/Community Impact)
Supporters said the business improves quality of life and fosters community connection. Staff and members also emphasized the organization’s willingness to work with neighbors and city staff to address concerns.
Made Well member Leo Santos spoke to the beneficial services of the business: “Not only does it provide services that help us to be a better community and better neighbors to one another, they are building services that help mental health.”
Santos also said he entrusts the child care providers as Made Well House with his young children, speaking to the residents who were concerned about child safety.
Owner Kasey Van Norman told the council the business has already taken steps to reduce noise after earlier complaints and plans to relocate higher-traffic fitness classes to a future commercial site nearby.
“I do believe that there is a narrative that I have set out to break rules and confidentially move into areas of the historic and go against the grain, and it breaks my heart that that’s the narrative,” she said. “I assure you there’s no rulebook when you buy a historic home.”
Van Norman said her goal is to remain a positive presence in the community.
What the council is saying
Council members acknowledged the tension between protecting neighborhood character and accommodating evolving land uses.
Council member James Edge made a motion to approve the rezoning request. He said he had visited the area multiple times and believed the business contributes positively to the community.
Other council members repeatedly described the property as a “unique” case because it sits near existing commercial business and churches, creating what they called a transition area between residential and commercial uses.
“The thing that was unique about this one is this is a very northwest corner of the historical district—the two lots on the very northwest corner of it. One’s in the historic district, and one is not,” Mayor Bobby Gutierrez pointed out.
He said the council decisions often leave some unhappy but noted Van Norman’s plans for future expansion away from the residential area helped address earlier concerns.
What happens next
With council approval, Made Well House is given the green light to keep operating under the new zoning standards.
The council said the conditions attached to the zoning are meant to balance neighborhood compatibility with the continued operation of the wellness center.
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