by Nicole Bradford
A proposed four-story apartment complex at Pearland Town Center drew opposition at City Hall Monday from neighbors concerned about traffic, crime, lights, and noise the project would bring to their backyards.
“The good thing about businesses is they go home at night,” Southgate resident Melissa Flores said. “An apartment complex is 24-7.”
Flores said she and her neighbors would gladly welcome businesses vs. a “four-story monstrosity” proposed just south of 11200 Broadway St.
Bernadette Fini’s home on Harris Avenue would be across a retaining pond from the complex.
“I can stand on my patio and see the apartments that are already there,” she said. “A four-story apartment building will be seen by anybody on Harris Avenue.”
To move forward, the development requires the city to approve an amendment to the site’s current development plan. The council on Monday voted 4-2 to approve the first of two scheduled readings of the amendment, with conditions of additional trees for screening and lighting restrictions. Voting against were council members Layni Cade and Tony Carbone.
“P&Z did put a lot of work and came to a thoughtful answer, but we’ve got residents here voicing their concerns,” Carbone said.
The 37-acre site was originally set to accommodate a large multi-purpose event or performing arts center with additional retail.
“Unfortunately, we’ve never been able to bring anything to fruition in the private sector,” said Matt Peno, general manager of Pearland Town Center representing CBL Properties.
The property has sat vacant since the Town Center’s establishment in 2005.
The apartment proposal calls for 380 living units with a monthly rental range of $1,300 to $2,200.
“Especially in the COVID era, increasingly, you need more and more rooftops to support retail development,” said Ethan Harwell of Kimley-Horn and Associates, “particularly in more suburban areas.”
A traffic impact study will focus on four nearby intersections.
The City Council will consider a second and final reading of the measure at a future meeting.
