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Old Sixth Ward residents urge council to block 1909 Washington gas station over health and traffic concerns
Summary
Neighborhood homeowners near a proposed full-service gas station at 1909 Washington told the council the project threatens historic properties, could expose residents to benzene and other vapors, and would send tanker truck traffic onto residential streets; council members agreed to pursue community briefings and mitigation options.
Residents of Houstons Old Sixth Ward and adjacent historic-property owners packed the public-comment period to oppose plans for a full-service gas station at 1909 Washington Avenue.
Speakers said the development would sit immediately adjacent to historic homes and that tanker trucks would transfer fuel close to property lines. "The tanker trucks will be loading the fuel into these underground tanks, 3 feet from our property lines," said Julie Dobie, who said her 1862 Betty Williams House abuts the proposed site.
Neighbors asked council to impose greater setbacks between fuel infrastructure and residences, require larger vapor-containment measures, and demand a traffic-management plan that keeps tanker movement off narrow residential streets. Council Member John Castillo said he would host community meetings with the developer and city staff and requested traffic and environmental reviews.
What residents asked for: larger buffer setbacks, mandatory environmental monitoring for benzene and other volatile organic compounds, tanker routing that excludes residential streets, and a community meeting to review plans.
What the council can do next: Council Member Castillo said staff will convene a meeting with the developer, planning and public-works staff, and the neighborhood to look at route changes, drainage and distance offsets. No formal action was taken at the Oct. 28 meeting.
