Some homeowners hope a developer will reconsider plans for a multi-family complex near the intersection of Westgreen Boulevard and Highland Knolls Drive.

The Guefen Companies has not yet begun construction on the complex—a proposed 171-unit, high-density luxury development on 5-acres. Rent for the three-story complex would start at about $1,300 per month.

At a meeting of the Nottingham Country MUD on Feb. 17, about 20–30 residents voiced their concerns. Several individuals argued that the complex would negatively affect property values, flooding and public safety in the area. Similar concerns are cited on an online petition at www.gopetition.com, which had garnered nearly 2,000 signatures as of Feb. 21.

Despite the opposition, Ray Pavlovich, MUD president, said there is not much the MUD can do to intervene.

"I think the real estate contract is already signed," Pavlovich said.

The only thing the MUD can do is respond to the request for water and sewer, he said.

"If it has the capacity it can't turn them down," Pavlovich said. "We have more than adequate water and wastewater."

If the group tried to interfere, it would be a guaranteed way to get sued and lose, he said.

"Right now we have our engineer checking on the drainage issue," Pavlovich said. "But other than that, I think it is a done deal."

Greg Becker, who started the online petition against the development, said that he and many other residents are not against all development the area, just the proposed high-density project.

"We thought initially that they were negotiating with senior living apartments," Becker said, "That was okay because the traffic and security issues wouldn't be there. We would just like to see something a little more amenable to the surrounding residential area."

At the Feb. 17 meeting, Guefen representatives said there was no evidence of diminished property values in the neighborhoods around their developments.

But Becker said he is skeptical and would like to see a formal study.

Calls to Guefen for comment were not returned by press time.