The vote came after dozens of residents voiced opposition to the project, as well as both city staff and the city’s Planning, Development and Zoning Commission, or PD&Z, saying they did not recommend moving forward with the development.
What readers need to know
Council considered rezoning roughly 12.6 acres of land near Croix and Del Bello from an open single-family residential to a light commercial district, according to city documents.
Attached to that was a request to allow Pearland-based Natural Walkways LLC to build a PrimeSpot convenience store and gas station at the spot.
Sway Real Estate Realtor Desiree Waraksa, who was appointed as the representative of the project, said at the meeting the project would have been carried out in phases, starting with the convenience store. City documents show the development could have also included space for retail and office condos, along with services such as a gas station.
“We aim to provide a convenient, attractive destination where people can eat, shop and grab their essential needs,” according to a letter from the developer.
Those opposed
The project first appeared publicly at a Feb. 10 PD&Z meeting where residents voiced “strong opposition” to the project, according to city documents. Concerns included:
- Increased traffic
- Lack of infrastructure in the area
- Environmental risks
- Lighting
- Property values
- Livestock operations
- The project being unnecessary
Resident Angela Vickerman also pointed to several other gas stations in the area, saying that, combined with there being no set plans to develop the area further, the project was unnecessary.
“This development really does not make sense for the city of Manvel,” Vickerman said. “Not right here and not right now.”
Adding to that, the PD&Z board on Feb. 10 voted unanimously against recommending the project. City staff also stated they could not recommend the project move forward.
Those in favor
Waraksa was the lone person who spoke in favor of the project at the meeting. She said she understood the concerns and tried to temper them. For example, she said the project would likely not create more traffic and instead cater to the traffic already in the area.
Data that Waraksa provided shows there’s about 4,000 vehicles that travel in that area each day.
Furthermore, the project would likely be built in phases, as Waraksa acknowledged the infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, needed for the entire project are not ready at this point.
“Given the future developments planned for this area, we believe we would be a strong partner with the city and community in ensuring a smooth, phased transition to the growth instead of just coming in and building something robust,” Waraksa said.
What’s next?
Had City Council approved the project Feb. 18, it would have required one more vote to move forward. But with the project not passing the first one, the second vote will not happen.
Prior to the vote, Waraksa said there were a couple of options for the land if the vote didn’t pass. Among those includes the developer opting to hold the land and find another use for it in the future.
Council member Crystal Sarmiento recommended going out to the community and seeing what they want in that space.
“Checking in with the community, that seems to have worked with other developers,” Sarmiento said. “I would definitely take that back so you guys can brainstorm a little bit more. This is definitely not something the community wants, but it doesn’t mean they won’t want something else.”
