Manville residents oppose hotel rezoning near residential neighborhood on Cemetery Road

The Manvel Planning, Development & Zoning Meeting held on June 9, 2025, was marked by strong community opposition to a proposed hotel development near residential areas. Residents expressed concerns about the potential impact on property values, safety, and the overall character of their neighborhood.

Several speakers, including homeowners from Cemetery Road, voiced their objections to the rezoning that would allow for a four-story hotel at the entrance of a residential neighborhood. One resident highlighted the incompatibility of a hotel with the surrounding area, emphasizing the lack of sidewalks and proximity to an elementary school. Concerns were raised about increased traffic, with estimates suggesting an additional 680 vehicles daily, which residents fear could pose risks to children waiting for school buses and pedestrians.

Another speaker pointed out the potential for crime associated with transient hotel guests, recalling past incidents at the only existing hotel in Manvel. Residents worried that the hotel could lead to a decline in property values and disrupt the peaceful, rural atmosphere they cherish. Many expressed a preference for businesses that would better serve the community, such as restaurants or shops, rather than a hotel that could attract strangers.

The meeting also featured calls for more thorough studies on the need for a hotel in this specific location. Residents questioned whether the city had adequately assessed the implications of such a development on their community's safety and quality of life.

In conclusion, the overwhelming sentiment among attendees was a desire to maintain the small-town feel of Manvel and to ensure that any future developments align with the community's values and needs. The city council will need to weigh these concerns carefully as they consider the rezoning proposal.