MCALLEN, Texas – McAllen city leaders again asked the planning and zoning board to consider changing the classification of Green Jay Park from agricultural to light industrial.

Again the board said “no.”

City leaders want to offer the park to Zoho Corporation so the global tech giants will have space to develop a 90-acre tech campus. 

In order for this to happen the park has to be reclassified and FEMA has to approve development. This is because the park, off of Ware Road just south of I-2, is in a flood zone.

The latest planning and zoning board meeting drew a large crowd of protestors. Local residents, birders, environmentalists and disc golf players want the park left the way it is. 

Also at the meeting were leaders from Zoho McAllen and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation.

None of the protestors were against Zoho building its footprint in McAllen. Just not at Green Jay Park.

The decision of the planning and zoning board is just a recommendation. McAllen City Commission can accept the “no” recommendation or reject it.

Here is a photo essay from the meeting from photojournalist Madison Girault. Click on the image to enlarge.

Pictures