Manvel council hears opposition to proposed four‑story hotel; first‑reading motion to approve fails

Manvel City Council held a public hearing and first reading on a proposed specific‑use permit to allow a four‑story, 85‑room hotel on a roughly 2.5‑acre portion of a larger, 10‑acre tract off Cemetery Road north of Large Avenue. The developer’s team presented the plan and argued the hotel would provide lodging for residents’ visiting friends and family and generate local tax revenue and jobs; dozens of nearby residents urged the council to reject the project.

Developer presentation and staff findings Laura Cooper, a realtor and business partner for the applicant, presented the owner’s case, saying the hotel is intended to serve local needs — visitors to family events, visiting school teams and festival attendees — and that the owner is a Manvel resident who intends to invest in site improvements, sidewalks, drainage work and community outreach. Cooper said the owner would reserve rooms and offer discounts to local groups and that the project would connect to city water and sewer.

City planning staff…