By N. Bradford
Residents who live near a proposed apartment complex on Fite Road gathered at City Hall on Sept. 25 to voice objections to city council.
“You’ve been kind of deceived,” said Red Oak Lane resident Andy Rathbun told the council regarding neighbors supporting the project at Fite and Manvel roads. “Traffic is going to be horrible on Fite. When this comes up, please keep in mind that we’re out here (and) going to be affected by this project.”
Proposed is an urban apartment community on the 9.6-acre tract north of Fite Road and East of Manvel Road.
Chris Hendrix, longtime resident of White Oak Lane, said a traffic study done on Fite was done during the COVID-19 pandemic and not accurate.
“The traffic study was run in May 2021 — a lot of people were out of work and people kept their children home from school,” he said.
After concerns were expressed at a May workshop, the developer over the summer proposed revisions to the project, including reducing the number of living units to 180 and three stories instead of four.
Among community concerns were traffic congestion, particularly due to its proximity to the Pearland Area Dad’s Club on Fite Road. In response, a planned coffee shop was removed, and a roundabout was added.
“Fite Road desperately needs work as it stands today,” West Oaks Village Anna Marie Nava told the council. “I cannot imagine having construction trucks come through there.”
