Methodist Hospital officials and developers are back at the discussion table with a revised design on the proposed medical office in Bellaire's downtown commercial corridor that includes using the ground floor as mainly retail and restaurant space as well as other mixed-use functions that will "meet the intent" of the city's urban village development zoning requirements.

  • The developers will be presenting the latest iteration of the plan during a public hearing with Bellaire's Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, Dec. 14.
  • The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on the first floor of Bellaire's City Hall, where visitors are invited to speak during the general public comments portion of the meeting.

The details

According to documents from the developers at Page Southerland Page, the proposed development would decrease in overall site coverage by 5%, or from 93% to 88%, which is close to the maximum coverage of 90% based on the city's urban village zoning ordinances.

Existing buildings in the lot would be demolished, including the one-story commercial building occupied by Subway. The proposed three-story medical office and retail building would include:

  • A medical office building of approximately 85,000 square feet
  • Retail and restaurant space of approximately 15,000 square feet on the ground floor
  • Green space between parking areas
  • Parking within two different levels: a single story of underground parking and surface parking located at street level
A photo rendering of the proposed Methodist Hospital office development includes dedicating first floor tenant space to retail and restaurants. (Courtesy City of Bellaire)
According to documents from the developers at Page Southerland Page, the proposed project will include a medical office building that incorporates a floor of retail space on the ground floor. (Courtesy City of Bellaire)
The timeline

In September 2022, Page Southerland Page Inc., on behalf of Methodist Hospital, presented to the planning and zoning commission a preliminary presentation of the development.
  • The previous proposed project was three one-story retail buildings and a three-story medical office building with an attached two-story parking garage on the approximately 3.19-acre site.
  • The Bellaire Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 in favor of the project in April.
  • A public hearing took place June 5.
  • The Methodist application was up for a City Council vote on the July 18 agenda.
  • Bellaire City Council voted unanimously to postpone making a decision on the developer’s application July 18.
  • Methodist Hospital officials and developers submitted a revised development plan to city officials in October that incorporated feedback from previous public hearings.