By N. Bradford
A Houston-based builder looking to put a residential project at Pearland Town Center says there are plenty of options for a just-under 14-acre site on the south side of 11200 Broadway St.
“Our company specializes in residential development — but a lot of different types,” Pelican Builders spokesman Derek Darnell told members of the Planning and Zoning Commission last Monday.
Darnell showed the commission photos of various projects, from brownstones to high rises.
“We would be delighted to build any one of these you guys would support,” he said, “assuming the market will support it.”
In July, the builder held a joint workshop with both P&Z and city council on regarding Lighthaven at Pearland Town Center, a proposed development of 124 rentals with a “single-family feel,” but with community amenities such as a pool and clubhouse. That discussion drew much input from the council and P&Z commissioners, if not a consensus.
“It was clear there wasn’t quite enough direction as a developer for us to really be able to move forward,” Darnell said.
On Sept. 18, he added a second option for consideration: A four-story apartment complex.
“You’d have more people living there,” he said. “You’d have over 300. It would have a higher value.”
Both the landowner, CBL, and Pelican are willing to work with the city to determine the best type of project, he said.
P&Z Commissioner Ashlee Boswell said her issue with the project had been with renting vs. owning.
“When I think diversity in housing, people want different ownership options, not necessarily, ‘I have to rent for the rest of my life in order to live in Pearland,’” she said. “That was some of the conversations I’ve had with citizens. If renting is what we’re doing, I’d be more open to (four-story multifamily).”
The rest of the commission agreed.
“It does fit with the character of what’s already there,” Commissioner Derrell Isenberg said.
The owner and developer said their next step is to seek input from city council on the four-story option.
