Residents opposed to tank farm near nursing home dealt heavy blow

More than 1,000 people signed a petition for C.A.R.E. Citizens Against Residential Encroachment hoping to stop a 105 million gallon crude oil tank farm from being built in Baytown.

Some residents believe the tank farm, which would be next door to an assisted living center, doesn't meet the city's zoning regulations.

Baytown Mayor Stephen DonCarlos says that's not the case. "I think it's a misinterpretation of the city's zoning ordinances," the mayor said.

The biggest fear residents say they have with the tank farm is its close proximity with a nursing home, two schools and a neighborhood.

"This would be the first nail in the coffin for Lakewood and surrounding communities," said Baytown resident Lisa Little.

Thursday night, residents were told little can be done to stop the tank farm.

"Council is not in a position where we can legally defeat this development or prevent this development from happening," Mayor DonCarlos told a number of disappointed residents.

The mayor says he understands the concerns of those opposing the tank farm.

"It's in our best interest, it's in the developers best interest, for this to be an absolutely safe and as aesthetically good as we can make a tank farm," Mayor DonCarlos said.

The city is putting certain conditions on a special use permit for the tank farmer builder. But residents opposed to it must now convince the Texas.Commission on Environmental Quality to deny the builder a state permit.