The overview
The proposal, submitted by Nirmal Gandhi of Gandhi Designs LCC on behalf of Yogesh Dabhi, who is the property owner and a Manvel resident, sought to rezone a 2.5-acre portion of a larger 6.3-acre tract to allow for the use of a hotel.
The site is currently zoned as light commercial, but developing a hotel at the site requires a specific use permit, according to city documents.
As proposed, the hotel included 85 rooms, a bar, restaurant, fitness center and meeting space, according to city planning documents. City staff recommended approval, citing alignment with Manvel's 2015 comprehensive plan and potential for commercial growth.
However, during a June 9 Planning, Development and Zoning Commission meeting, 24 residents spoke in opposition and two residents submitted written comments raising issues related to traffic, privacy and safety, according to city documents. Concerns centered on the proposed hotel's four-story height, its proximity to homes and access via the currently unimproved Large Avenue.
The local impact
Steven Russell said his property is adjacent to the proposed development and shared many of the same concerns as other residents.
"'As it is in Manvel is how it is in heaven. Well, in heaven, I really don't think you have a four-story hotel looking into your yard," Russell said during the public hearing.
Russell said he knew zoning wouldn't allow for hotels, apartments or trailer parks, so he built his home accordingly, thinking privacy wouldn't be an issue.
In response to concerns, staff recommended more than a dozen conditions, including fencing, landscaping buffers, lighting restrictions and limited access hours to help mitigate effects on neighboring homes. Additionally, city staff said the projected traffic volume did not meet the threshold for a traffic impact study.
Despite those recommendations, council members rejected the proposal on first reading.
Notable quote
Council member Crystal Sarmiento also expressed concerns, saying a hotel wasn't what the community wanted.
"What the community is begging for is parks, community centers. I've never heard, 'We need a hotel,'" Sarmiento said. " Unfortunately, I can not and will not get behind it this time."
