Scoop

UPDATE on LOW-INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS (March 31, 2009)

To date, here's what we know: two developers recently submitted applications with the Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to build properties using the 2009 "9% Competitive Housing Tax Credit Program" in our area which would mandate that certain percentages of the units be made available to low-income and/or moderate income residents. Those three applications were:

IN GLENCAIRN

Cypress Creek @ Kieth Harrow (180 multi-family units)
Bonner Carrington, Developer

Mariposa @ Kieth Harrow (180 senior residential rental units)
Bonner Carrington, Developer

NORTH OF BEAR CREEK

Sendero Pointe on Addicks-Satsuma (120 senior residential rental units)
NRP Group, LLC, Developer

On March 26th, a committee representing nine area home-owner associations, including Hunters Park in Bear Creek, attended a lengthy and intense meeting with the developer, Stuart Shaw, of Bonner Carrington concerning his two applications. He was aware of public outcry over the negative impact these projects could bring to the neighborhood infrastructure in this part of west Houston. Even prior to the meeting, he had agreed to withdraw his application for Cypress Creek, the low income multi-family proposal.

We all know the land behind HEB and Walgreens will be sold. The question is whether we would have any input in the buyers plans for development of the land. Mr. Shaw was willing to talk with us and explain his plans for this development. This was a positive sign that Mr. Shaw was open to listening to our concerns as homeowners and for us to learn what his intentions were for this land.

There is much good news to report. To show his good faith and his understanding of our concerns, Mr. Shaw removed his application for the low income family apartments with the TDHCA; he will continue to pursue his application for Senior Citizen Apartments on the property. As a committee, we agreed that Senior citizens bring volunteers into our neighborhood. They are good neighbors. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the many senior citizens who want to stay in the area.

It is important to point out that both the multi-family and senior units ARE NOT Section 8 housing. Under strict guidelines, the screening process for both developments is rigorous, and must remain true to the original application for at least 10 years. (We also heard 15 years, but we are still trying to verify this fact.) Although the Cypress Creek proposal is off the table, Mr. Shaw explained that qualifying residents for Cypress Creek would have been that they MUST be employed with a significant income, show tax returns, pass stringent credit checks and not have any criminal records. These guidelines are strictly enforced. This is a far cry from what most of us envisioned when were told that low income housing was being proposed in our area.

The entire committee agreed that Mr. Shaw appears to be a unique gentleman among developers. His plans for green space instead of solid concrete were unique. His quality of construction is excellent. He builds green which includes foam ceilings, radiant barrier on roofs and lots of trees, bushes, grass, water features, covered pavilions and the possibility of solar energy. In addition, he has one of the lowest fire insurance rates in the state because of his attention to the details of fire prevention and control. Most importantly, Mr. Shaw wants to work with our community in planning the mix of development on the balance of the properties.

The committee sees Mr. Shaw and his Mariposa Senior Residential Rental units as positive additions to our community. We want developers who develop relationships with the surrounding community and will seriously listen to our concerns. Mr. Shaw believes in giving back to the community and wants to be a good neighbor. He wants to prove himself to us.

For Bear Creek, here's where it gets tricky: according to several sources, the TDHCA will only approve ONE of the two applications for senior residential rental units, either Mariposa @ Kieth Harrow, or Sendero Pointe on Addicks Satsuma. The HPCA board joined Glencairn in endorsing the Mariposa development, but we are still verifying that the "either/or" information is accurate. We also have no guarantee that the TDHCA will vote for our desired choice.

It was the committee's view that the addition of senior housing in our area with reputable developers would assure that we don't have to fight battles for Section 8 housing or other less desirable options for land near our homes.

Please know that there will continue to be breaking developments on this topic, and we will do our best to keep you informed. It's a lot of information to digest, and we are doing our best to keep you up to date.

THANK YOU to all of the Bear Creek residents who became active in questioning these developments and were willing to help to do what was necessary to make Bear Creek the best it can be. Also note that our Glencairn neighbors were diligent in these efforts. We really appreciate all of the effort they put in to this issue.

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