by Nicole Bradford
A development plan amendment needed for a four-story apartment complex near Pearland Town Center received the final OK from the city council on Monday, a 4-3 vote.
Just south of 11200 Broadway St., the complex would occupy 37 acres originally slated for a performing arts venue that after 19 years never came to fruition.
“Funding in that market has always been ever-changing, and the alcohol laws in Brazoria County are pretty hard for a concert venue to open and operate,” CBL Properties general manager Matt Peno said. “We have pursued as many of the large-scale developments as we can.”
The council’s action on Monday amends the Town Center development plan to allow a multifamily development on the site instead.
Council members Layni Cade, Chad Thumann, and Rushi Patel voted against the amendment and the project.
“Before the great recession (2007) CBL wanted to flip it to apartments then and it was rejected,” Patel said. “I think you guys are just waiting and finding the right city council members to say yes.”
“I was on the council in 2005 when the (planned development) was approved and I was only on the council in 2007,” Mayor Kevin Cole said. “At no time in ’07 did they come to change this into apartments. It was designated as an event center — the idea was 7,000 or 8,000-seats. The deal on the table was not sustainable for the city.”
“I’m probably the most inclined to want an art anything in this town,” Councilman Adrian Hernandez said. “But the will of this body and the community historically has been that we don’t want to make investments on the backs of the taxpayers.”
The project has drawn opposition from neighboring residents. On Monday, three more turned out to voice concerns about safety, noise, traffic, and neighboring home values.
West Pearland is already saturated with apartments, they said.
“Our subdivision is currently surrounded by no less than 12 apartment complexes, not counting assisted living centers,” said Shadow Creek Ranch resident Lashonda Johnson. “With the Residence at Pearland Town Center and the new Ivy Lofts that begin leasing this year, that will equal 14 complexes on our side of 288.”
The roughly $60 million investment will provide 380 living units with monthly rentals ranging from $1,300 to $2,200.
“The market is tough to argue against,” Cole said. “In 2008 the world changed in real estate. It didn’t matter what you thought you had.”
