Austin-based LDG Development will consider altering its plans for building an affordable housing apartment complex off of Spring Cypress Road near Old Town Spring, company representatives announced at a town hall meeting Oct. 5.
“I want to just kind of get [all of your] thoughts and opinions on what logically we all think can go on over there on that piece of property and see if there's anything that we at LDG can help the community and bring in,” Development Coordinator Dru Childre said.
LDG initially proposed a 304-unit affordable housing project, dubbed Greenfield Apartments, to be built at the intersection of Brandt Road and Spring Cypress Road, to the Old Town Spring Improvement District on Aug. 10, according to the meeting agenda.
LDG also develops affordable housing for adults 55 years and older and market-rate complexes, which the company may consider building instead, if that would receive more community support, Childre said Oct. 5.
At the town hall meeting, Old Town Spring-area residents, business owners and OTSID board members gathered, listening to Childre’s presentation on the proposed project. Several residents spoke, raising concerns that the complex’s residents could bring increased crime to the area, overload the area’s schools and make it more difficult for shoppers to find parking in Old Town Spring.
Spring resident Matt Brogan voiced his concern that the development could worsen flooding in the area, potentially putting local businesses and homes at risk of damage.
“Who's gonna write that check to the mom and pop businesses that are family-owned and the houses up and down these streets?” Brogan said.
If Greenfield Apartments are built as an affordable housing complex, residents would have to fall between an annual income bracket starting at about $33,000 to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the complex, Childre said.
“We would like to come in and provide services to our tenants and try to better their lives,” Childre said.
The OTSID’s next meeting will be held Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. The LDG apartment complex was not a topic on the district’s agenda, as of press time.
