Commission tables Ed Thompson townhome/garden‑apartment rezoning after strong neighborhood opposition

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table for 30 days a request by Ed Thompson to rezone a parcel near Huey Drive from R1A (single‑family) to PMF (planned multi‑family) with a final site plan proposing three one‑story buildings containing 2 one‑bedroom and 7 two‑bedroom units (about 11.379 units per acre).

Planning staff said the proposal would amend the future land‑use guide from single‑family medium‑low density to townhouse/garden apartment and presented a site plan showing access from Huey Drive and Old Noonday Road with dual vehicle access and a gated emergency access. Staff recommended approval, stating the request furthers the city goal of adding residential rooftops to the north end; no mailed protest notices were returned in favor or opposition according to staff.

Public comment was strongly opposed. Dozens of residents, including neighborhood association leaders and the Saint Louis Community Association president, urged denial. Speakers cited repeated flooding and poor drainage at nearby Patton Circle and Patton Lane, traffic and school‑zone congestion near Dixie Elementary, potential negative impacts to property values and privacy, and the presence of the East Texas Crisis Center (a shelter for survivors of domestic violence) adjacent to the site. Several residents showed photos and video of backyard flooding, trees toppled by water‑saturated soil, and narrow streets with heavy school traffic. Community members asked that multi‑family development not be placed adjacent to long‑standing single‑family homes and requested time to meet with the applicant.

Applicant representative Ray Boudreaux (speaking for the applicant, who was ill) said the applicant had begun outreach, had communicated with the crisis center, and asked to meet with neighbors. After a motion to deny failed to carry (recorded as a tied or close vote), commissioners ultimately voted to table the item for 30 days to allow applicant‑community discussions; commissioners recorded the tabling vote as 5–1.

Why it matters: Neighbors argued the proposed multi‑unit development is incompatible with the surrounding single‑family neighborhood, cited localized drainage and flooding problems that would need engineering solutions, and expressed concern about placing higher‑density housing next to a crisis shelter and elderly residents.

Next steps: Applicant and staff to meet with neighbors and provide revised plans or additional engineering information at the commission’s next meeting in 30 days.