by Nicole Bradford
A change in plans for a planned apartment complex on Smith Ranch Road will convert the second floor of a parking garage into an outdoor deck for amenities.
In a joint meeting on Oct. 14, City Council and Planning and Zoning agreed to move forward with requested deviations in a planned development originally approved in 2022 as the Domain at Smith Ranch.
The site fronts the east side of Smith Ranch Road. The builder for the original plan is out of the picture, and the property owner is now partnering with Rockefeller Group. This New York-based company recently entered the Texas market.
“We try to not just meet what the market does, but be better than that,” said Philip Croker, senior managing director of Rockefeller Group’s new Southwest Region.
City staff responded favorably to the amenity deck proposal.
“We think it’s a cool concept,” community development director Vance Wyly said. “With these being four-story buildings, the ones surrounding the parking area would be looking down at the top of cars. This is a change that would allow that to be a more usable space for young people.”
Options for the amenity deck include a classic courtyard with grill space and seating or sports courts.
“Whether it’s tennis, whether it’s pickleball, we want something people who want to go out and do exercise can go to,” Rockefeller Group associate Timm Wooten said.
Rockefeller is planning two multifamily projects per year and a four-story, two-building project in Katy.
According to the plan, the 320-unit project in Pearland will have 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units at an average of 952 square feet.
