Developer plans four homes on 1.15-acre lot in controversial move

Voting on a neighborhood development planned along Upton-Smithville Road just off FM 2571 brought opposing sides to Smithville city council chambers again this month and one side did not leave happy.

The council voted to approve a plan by developer Danny Nichols and his agent Anita Schwartz to build four homes on a 1.15 acre lot in the Robert G. Anstey subdivision.

Getting to a final vote took some time, though, as council members asked questions of the developer, agent and neighbors opposed to the plan.

Nichols had originally planned six homes for the area, which was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in early January. At that time, neighbors strongly opposed the plan, citing concerns that the density of houses in the plan did not fit with the neighborhood, which is made up of homes on one acre lots or more. They also cited hazards from increased traffic and concerns about drainage.

Nichols had the plans redrawn showing four homes on the lot and presented it to the council in January.

The council tabled a vote on the matter after citizens spoke out against it. Mayor Mark Bunte asked the parties to reach a compromise before it came before the council again.

On Monday, the four-home plan was again up for approval. Discussions between council members led to a question and answer session between Nichols, Schwartz and neighborhood opponents, who said they firmly opposed four homes on the lot, but would accept three.

“I went to the lot and walked through it and talked to Ms. Schwartz,” council member Chachi Rodriquez said. “I talked with some of the neighbors who said they were OK with it and so I’m for approving the plan.” Councilman Larry Espinoza agreed, saying the neighborhood had been canvassed and most residents did not have a problem with the plan.

“I listened to the neighbors on both sides,” Espinoza said. “We need more housing in Smithville. I think it will be good.”

Chris Zentner, who lives on Shade Street which runs along one side of the proposed development, said the neighbors never agreed to the building of four homes.

“They are dropping a subdivision into our neighborhood,” Zentner said.

Schwartz told the council that building three homes would not be cost effective and that the lot could actually hold six homes without problem. The plan calls for homes in the 1,500 to 1,800 square foot range.

“I believe Smithville needs housing. It’s silly to lessen what the property can support,” Schwartz said.

“We have compromised. This is fair for everyone.”

The mayor said the city would see to it that drainage was adequate and that signage would be appropriate to alleviate problems with traffic.

Sallie Blalock, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said the group liked the development idea.

“I was excited that they brought us a business plan. They should be able to come here and do business in the city,” Blalock said. “I think we need to stop denying these developments, they are a good thing for Smithville.”

Mayor pro-tem Mike Kahanek made a motion that three homes should be built on the lot, but he did not get a second on the proposal. Rodriquez and Espinoza then moved to approve the plan as presented and it carried.

After the vote Nichols and Schwartz said their next step was to move forward with financing and planning with a builder. They also expressed interest in moving into one of the homes.

Neighborhood resident Melanie Phillips said a signed petition by the majority of residents who opposed the development was ignored by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the council.

“We feel the council voted in opposition to the desires of the neighborhood and what the community wanted,” Phillips said. “It will change the character of the neighborhood.”

In other business, the council:

Heard from April Daniels from Playhouse Smithville who is seeking the council’s approval to pursue grants that would lead to the designation of the downtown district as a “cultural arts district.”  The council will vote next month on the measure that would provide funding for building façades, signage and other grants.

Diane Kunninger of the Friends of the Library presented an award to the mayor, mayor pro-tem Mike Kahanek, library director Judy Bergeron, SISD director of food services Candy Biehle, Parks and Recreation Director Andis Goble and city worker Floyd Henderson for their work on the award winning Summer Nutrition Program.

Heard a presentation from student Hailey Sherrill on the character trait of the month: Justice. Approved the appointment of Tom Bettes to the Planning and Zoning Commission to replace Sheila Tamble.