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Planning Commission defers Merritt–Martin Wedgwood project after neighbors raise traffic and hotel concerns
Summary
The commission deferred the Merritt–Martin specific plan — a mixed-use, hotel-anchored redevelopment at Wedgwood-Houston — for two meetings to allow more community engagement after neighbors, council and commissioners raised questions about unit counts, hotel keys, alley access and neighborhood impacts.
The Planning Commission voted to defer consideration of the Merritt–Martin specific plan, a mixed-use redevelopment in the Wedgwood‑Houston area, for two meetings (to July 24) after extensive public comment and debate.
Samara Road, the applicant, proposed a multi-building project that would adaptively reuse the Vintage Millworks building, add a boutique hotel, up to 150 multifamily residential units, nonresidential uses and public open space. Andrew Donczes, the applicant representative, described the project as ‘‘a product of significant collaboration’’ with community stakeholders and planning staff and said the team reduced scale and unit counts over two years of meetings.
Proponents, including multiple residents and local business owners, said the plan will bring sidewalks, transit stop improvements and retail customers that support neighborhood businesses; supporters described the developer as unusually collaborative. Opponents raised concerns about traffic, parking and a potential rooftop bar at the hotel; several nearby residents and a neighborhood representative asked for additional review and larger easements at a future collector-street intersection to allow a roundabout rather than a signal.
Councilmember Vaux asked for a deferral, citing unresolved constituent concerns over hotel key counts and operational questions about the hotel operator; she said the hotel key count had increased in documentation and asked for more time to ensure neighbors understood recent changes. Commissioners debated whether the issues were within the commission’s land-use role or would be better resolved at council, and staff reminded commissioners that their recommendation would be transmitted to council.
After discussion the commission voted to defer the item for two meetings with the public hearing to remain closed unless reopening is required by law. The motion included direction that staff and the applicant continue community outreach, and that outstanding questions (including alley access, on-site parking/valet arrangements and contextual setbacks along Hamilton Avenue) be clarified before the item returns.
