During a recent government meeting, residents of Anna voiced strong opposition to proposed developments in their community, emphasizing the need for more estate homes rather than the current plans favored by developers. The Planning and Zoning (P and Z) Committee echoed these sentiments, siding with the residents against the developers' proposals.
Community members expressed concerns that the existing character of the neighborhood, characterized by one-acre-plus homes, should be preserved. They urged the council to prioritize the voices of local residents over those of developers, highlighting a perceived conflict of interest involving Mayor Ashley, who reportedly received a significant portion of his campaign funding from a developer group, Old Prosper Partners.
One resident, Shannon Benton, articulated the community's desire for the council to remain accountable to its constituents, insisting that the city should not be influenced by developer interests. The meeting underscored a growing tension between community development and resident preferences, as local leaders are called to navigate these competing interests.