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Missouri City neighbors urge denial of proposed 17-bed Tulip residential treatment center
Summary
Dozens of Missouri City residents told a joint City Council and Planning & Zoning meeting they oppose a proposed 17-bed residential treatment center on Mesa Verde and Echo Creek Drive, citing safety, traffic, notification and property-value concerns. Staff said the applicant must obtain a Specific Use Permit and state licensing; no decision was made.
Dozens of residents of Bolton Estates and surrounding streets urged city leaders to deny a requested Specific Use Permit for the Tulip Residential Treatment Centre, a proposed 17-bed, 24-hour residential facility at the southwest corner of Mesa Verde and Echo Creek Drive.
"My main concern is the safety of my kids," said Malika Eve, a neighbor, who read the facility's admission criteria from the applicant's materials and asked council to "think about it" before approving the SUP. Multiple speakers said the property's proximity to school bus stops and park space creates an unacceptable safety risk.
Neighbors described recurring shootings in the area, a past double homicide at the subject property and frequent traffic bottlenecks that could delay emergency responses. One resident said the street has a single exit and that 18-wheelers sometimes block the route; Roberto Hinojosa said that could leave residents trapped during emergencies. "Ambulances are gonna go there, and, eventually, there's going to be people stuck," he said.
Several residents pressed staff for operational details they said were missing from the notices and the applicant's public materials: ages and legal status of residents, security and staffing plans, curfews, transportation, emergency-response procedures and clarity on whether the facility's online materials include adults and substance-abuse treatment. "Who will live there? Ages please. Are there court orders in place? What's the maximum number of residents?" asked Tracy Spencer, who said she lives within 200 feet of the site and opposed the permit.
Shashi Kumar, assistant city manager, told the joint meeting the proposed use would require a city SUP because the site is in an R-1 single-family zone and that state licensing by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Texas Health and Human Services would also be required. Kumar said the application proposes a 17-bed facility and that the Planning & Zoning Commission will make a recommendation at its June 10 meeting; council action is tentatively scheduled for July 20.
Councilmembers thanked the turnout and noted staff reported roughly 30 protest letters and no letters of support submitted to date. Councilmember Riley noted the protest-letter count and commended residents for coming forward; staff said the city mailed notices to property owners within 250 feet, posted a sign on the property and published notice in the local paper.
Staff also told the joint meeting that during predevelopment review they had advised the applicant that approval would be a "hard sell" because of the small lot, limited access and surrounding single-family uses. No vote was taken at the meeting; the item will return to the Planning & Zoning Commission on June 10 for recommendation and then to City Council for potential consideration on July 20.
The public hearing portion of the meeting produced detailed opposition centered on safety, circulation and notice; speakers repeatedly asked for specific operational plans and security measures before any approval. The City will carry the record of these comments into the next hearings on the SUP.
