New Quadraplex Development Approved on Southland

New, home-like quardaplexes are to be developed in San Angelo near Southland, following a council decision Tuesday to grant a zone change on a previously denied swath of land.

The 8.9-acre tract located at the northwest corner of Southland Boulevard and Mills Pass Drive drew crowds of angry district sixers to the council chambers last November, some armed with signs of protest, when land owner Greg Huling sought council approval for a zone change to build an apartment complex.

Huling’s request was denied in November, mostly for reasons of discontent among the residents in the area, who were concerned that high apartment buildings might diminish privacy in the residential area, while increased traffic may congest the street and endanger children attending the school on the street.

Residents pushed to maintain the RS-1 zoning, a single-family residential zone which restricts the density and height of dwellings to homes with adequate spacing, and council replied with a denial of the proposal.

Tuesday the residents of the area repeated their concerns, namely traffic issues and concerns about longevity, citing the temporary nature of apartment and rental properties. Councilwoman Charlotte Farmer spoke on behalf of her constituents, echoing their concerns as her priority.

“This is the perfect plan, it’s a good plan, I won’t argue with that. It’s desirable,” Farmer said. “But what I am arguing is there’s not a plan, there’s not a vision on how to do and what to do with all the excess traffic. That is what I’m hearing is the hugest concern.”

In his defense, Richard A. Finch of White Oaks Development, LLC., explained the differences between his and Huling’s prior proposal.

“Mr. Huling came in with a plan that would allow for 35 units per acre, I’m coming in with a plan that would allow for 25 units per acre, but I’m only putting in nine units per acre,” he said. Residential maxes out at eight units per acre, he added.

He argued that it is a great buffer between commercial and residential and will add diversity, while building a community around a school. “I feel like a lot of it is just an emotional response, but I’m trying to get facts to counter those. At the end of the day, you can’t make everybody happy…so I think you just have to look at it from the vision plan…and I think this is a great way to execute on that plan.”

Finch’s proposed quadraplex complex would look more like homes than apartments, he said, with only four units on a floor and only five families more than would be permitted under the current RS-1 zoning.

For his planned development, Finch is seeking a zone change to RM-1, the lowest density category for multifamily housing with height restrictions that alleviate previous privacy concerns of apartment buildings towering over the neighboring fences.

Having listened to the concerns of her district, Farmer stated she was concerned that city staff had brought another zoning proposal to the council when residents in her district thought they had won, and had effectively “pulled a fast one” on the public by giving the proposal a new name. Homes have continued to be built, said, however nothing has been done about the infrastructure.

Several members of her district were in attendance on Tuesday, many of which took to the stand to voice familiar concerns. Among them were the faces that had spoken out in November against the zone change.

Not all council members were opposed, however. Mayor Dwain Morrison stated that he’s heard from several citizens who are not necessarily opposed to the construction, just so long as it’s not in their neighborhood.

Council members Fleming and Grindstaff both expressed support of the proposed development, stating it falls in line with the city’s vision plan and that the proposal is well conceived.

“I think that if I had ownership of this property, I would try to maximize my proximity to the school and I think that it should be used for families, and I don’t see the family as being contradictory to that,” councilwoman Elizabeth Grindstaff said. “I think that it’s actually a compliment.

Following lengthy discussion of the topic amongst themselves and several comments from the public, council took a vote on the agenda item. With six in favor and only Farmer opposed, the items passed and the zone change was granted.