Manvel City Council reviewed a proposed 51-acre residential development presented by Texas-based homebuilder D.R. Horton at its Nov. 2 meeting.
What you need to know
The proposed development includes around 54 half-acre lots along Uzzell Road, on land that is currently zoned as open single-family residential and requires a minimum lot size of 1 acre, according to city documents.
The proposal would require variances from the city's design criteria manual, which would include sidewalk and water storage requirements, and a change to the property's current zoning.
Diving in deeper
Under the city's development standards, sidewalks are generally required along streets and must be at least 5 feet wide. The proposal does not include sidewalks within the development, but includes a walking path around the detention pond and along Uzzell Road, documents show.
The proposal also includes a ground-level water storage tank rather than the elevated storage tank required by city standards, documents show.
The developer would fund the water system, while a private utility company would build and operate it, install and maintain the water lines, and establish water rates, city documents show.
What they’re saying
Mayor Dan Davis raised concerns about the proposed half-acre lots and said they do not align with the city's current land use maps and zoning, which aim to preserve the area's rural character. However, he acknowledged the potential benefits of providing residents with the option of smaller lots.
Council member Garrett Rossi-Knox suggested the developer consider larger lots, including sizes of 1 acre or more.
Looking ahead
Several council members suggested the developer seek feedback from residents, particularly those living near the proposed development site, before moving forward with the approval process.
Additionally, the property would need to be rezoned if the developer moves forward with the proposed development, city officials said.
