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 (Ellie) told council the property is currently zoned Light Commercial with the Highway 6 Overlay and that staff’s report included recommended conditions if an SUP were approved, such as a 10‑foot landscaping buffer with evergreen trees, a masonry fence along the residential boundary, fully shielded lighting under 25 feet and extension of Large Avenue to improve connectivity. Planning and Zoning recommended denial (vote 0–7) following its hearing.

Public opposition and concerns Residents who live adjacent to the site — many of whom said they have lived in the neighborhood for decades — made these points repeatedly during the hearing: - Traffic and safety: Speakers said Cemetery Road and surrounding neighborhood streets lack sidewalks and sufficient shoulders and expressed concern that guests would use neighborhood cut‑throughs, raising hazards for children and bicyclists and increasing wear on local roads. - Drainage and flooding: Multiple residents said recent development has already strained local drainage. Several asked whether the site plan’s detention areas and engineering would prevent runoff to adjacent yards and the cemetery access road. - Privacy and emergency response: Neighbors said a four‑story building would overlook back yards and asked whether the city or the developer had equipment (like a ladder truck) to respond to a multi‑story fire; residents worried aging hotel stock can decline and that crime and nuisance calls sometimes concentrate around some lodging properties.

Developer response The applicant’s representatives said the planned site detention would serve the larger tract and that the hotel would have designated access from Highway 6 and a secondary access; they said they would work to mitigate lighting and buffering and that the owner intends to install sidewalks and infrastructure at his expense. The developer said major brand affiliation (a Marriott franchise was mentioned by presenters) would maintain higher operating standards than smaller, non‑branded motels.

Council action After public comment and the developer presentation, a council member moved to approve the ordinance on first reading. The motion was seconded. On a roll call the motion failed; the vote count recorded in the meeting transcript was 0 in favor and 7 opposed, so the first reading did not pass.

Why it matters: The council’s decision on an SUP will shape the character and infrastructure needs of the Highway 6 corridor and nearby established neighborhoods. Opponents argued the site is unsuitable for a four‑story hotel; proponents cited local lodging needs and tax revenue. Council members said they want to support local investment but repeatedly noted the strength of resident concerns and the need to match land use to local infrastructure.

Next steps: The council did not approve the first reading. Because the motion failed, the ordinance will not move forward as presented. Staff, the applicant or council members may choose to bring a revised application or different site proposal for future consideration.