Bellaire City Council approved the final plan for a six-story commercial development and office building that will be built at the southwest corner of Bissonnet Street and West Loop 610.
The planned development has been under consideration since the application was originally filed in June.
What you need to know
Developer Bissonnet Street Ventures was finally given the green light Oct. 7 to begin developing a six-story office building and parking garage that will primarily offer medical services. It will also feature a ground floor lobby with potential for retail or restaurant space.
Council approval came after developer and architectural firm Project Luong submitted a number of amendments based on feedback from both council members and residents during a Sept. 9 public hearing.
According to the agenda packet, there were nine conditions attached with the ordinance. Among other requirements, the developer agreed to:
- Have beautification elements such as screening for the parking garage
- Meet and exceed the number of off-street parking spaces
- Comply with the city’s tree ordinances passed in May
If a specific requirement is not identified in the ordinance, the packet states that the site will have to comply with the requirements of the city's Loop 610 zoning district.
More details
A representative from Project Luong promised during the September meeting that the firm would also work to see if they could save more trees along the driveway after citizens voiced concern about the vegetation.
During a follow-up presentation Oct. 7, the firm showed a revised site plan that places the building further south on the lot to accommodate more trees. Firm officials will speak with Bellaire’s arborist during that phase of development to assure the new site plan is feasible.
A laser study was also completed by the firm to answer questions related to the building’s height compared to the former AT&T Building. The new center will be approximately four feet higher based on the roof’s parapet and is still under the district's 90-foot maximum building height requirement.
