RICHMOND, Texas — As Houston continues to broaden into surrounding counties, a number of residents from two communities in Richmond are upset a few proposal that will flip the wooded space behind their houses into distribution warehouses.

The Del Webb Sweetgrass and Williams Ranch communities are positioned near a busy stretch of the Southwest Freeway in Richmond. Nonetheless, they’re insulated from the freeway by a number of acres of wooded space.

Nonetheless, developer Vigavi Realty is working to get approval to construct a number of industrial warehouse buildings on 73 acres of land close to the residential communities.

Throughout Monday night time’s Richmond Planning and Zoning Fee assembly, committee members thought-about approving a variance on the plat of land that will permit the developer to maneuver ahead. 

The start of what’s going to seemingly be a really lengthy course of.

Almost 200 residents from surrounding neighborhoods confirmed as much as protest the proposal.

“We’re outdated, now we have quite a lot of time on our palms, and we’re cranky!”, stated Del Webb Sweetgrass resident Robin Stewart.

Resident and land surveyor Mark Buhrke was additionally on the assembly.

“If we don’t allow them to know that we don’t need this in our yard, they are going to proceed fully oblivious to the opposition that’s clearly evident,” Buhrke stated.

Most of the residents stated they weren’t towards the land being developed; nevertheless, they’re involved that distribution warehouses may deliver a number of 18-wheelers, and what may go together with them like idling diesel engines, too near their houses.

“The preliminary plans present 5 buildings and parking for a whole bunch of trailers and parking for one thing like 600 private autos, Buhrke defined.

Vigavi Realty has properties throughout Larger Houston. 

For an concept of what their properties appear to be, click on right here. 

The 73 acres of land Vigavi desires to develop close to Richmond backs as much as dozens of current houses. 

Renderings submitted to the Metropolis of Richmond present the buildings can be positioned close to the fence line and 18-wheeler parking can be on the inside of the property. The renderings don’t checklist what number of parking areas are deliberate for 18-wheeler vehicles, nevertheless, there seems to be about 100 within the rendering. 

KHOU reached out to Vigavi Realty on Monday for remark, however as of late Tuesday, we haven’t heard again.

The planning and zoning committee assembly was a small victory for residents because the request for a variance was denied. Vigavi is ready to make small tweaks after which submit a revised plan.

“I don’t know if we are going to win on authorized grounds,” Buhrke stated. “However within the court docket of public opinion, I believe we’re means forward already.”

Extra details about the plan is on the market on the Metropolis of Richmond’s Planning and Zoning Committee’s April 4th agenda.

Beneath is an announcement from the Metropolis of Richmond relating to Monday’s resolution:

“The Metropolis of Richmond’s Planning and Zoning Fee reviewed and denied the variance of a Preliminary Plat for the Williams Ranch Enterprise Park. The proposed website is 73.295 acres of land – 1 Block – 0 Heaps – 4 Reserves. The topic website is positioned alongside the north facet of Freeway 59 and to the south of Williams Ranch and east of Del Webb residential subdivisions and sits exterior of the Metropolis of Richmond’s metropolis limits however within the ETJ. The Williams Enterprise Park is proposing to have an industrial advanced that can have a number of massive constructions for storage and workplace house. Many residents from the encircling proposed residential areas attended the assembly and confirmed a powerful opposition to the proposed website. The Metropolis of Richmond will proceed to make use of their Complete Grasp Plan as a information for sensible progress and supply protected, safe and family-oriented communities.”

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