Bellaire residents are asking for modifications to be made to a proposed commercial development that is anticipated to be built on Bissonnet Street.
The overview
Project Luong, an architecture firm in Houston, submitted a planned development application in April to build a six-story office building at the intersection of West Loop South and Bissonnet Street.
According to a presentation shared during a Sept. 9 City Council meeting, the proposed development will be used primarily as a medical office building and include a six-level parking garage. The ground floor will have a lobby and retail space.
The 1.99-acre property is currently undeveloped and functions as a green space with only sidewalks.
According to the site plan proposal, Luong committed to comply with the city’s tree ordinance. The proposition includes the removal of four to five trees which will be replaced in accordance with the city’s updated ordinance.
The agenda packet notes that the remainder of the proposed building and parking garage are positioned largely away from the large street trees.
However, Bellaire residents are asking for more modifications to be made to the proposal to help further protect the trees.
What they are saying
Joyce Gigout, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Board, spoke during the Sept. 9 public hearing about her concerns.
"There was no mention at all about the actual trees and what type of trees are there," she said. "The trees that are mostly all natives, are mature, heritage live oak trees and they are protected. I think these are trees that we need to preserve. We have a lot of medical buildings... so what we need to look at is if something is going to be built there then maybe make it something that is more environmental friendly and has less of a footprint."
Bob Henschen, a longtime resident of Bellaire, said he seconded Joyce's comments about the value of the vegetation at the Bissonnet site.
"We were concerned to find out that the city was being asked to approve amendments to our code in order to allow a six-story office building and garage to be built on that beautiful corner, which is only two acres in size," he said.
Bellaire resident Tim Sullivan spoke in favor of the proposed development.
"Any increase in business activity helps all of our existing businesses and restaurants," he said. "It looks like a great project and I am in full support of having that economic development."
Next steps
A representative from Project Luong said the firm will work to see if they can save more trees along the driveway and best meet resident and council concerns.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the planned development application in June. Bellaire City Council will vote on the final proposal Sept. 16.
