Neighbors press drainage and density concerns during La Porte ADU hearing

Neighbors told the commission they worried a new secondary dwelling unit could worsen long‑standing drainage problems in the Lomax/Battleground neighborhood and could set a precedent that changes neighborhood character. Catherine Wernicke described a nearby 3,000‑square‑foot mother‑in‑law structure and said nearby properties experienced flooding after that construction; she said the Melendez family’s proposed unit is much smaller at 600 square feet but urged careful review of drainage and permits.

Kristen Cooper, who lives on Houston Drive, said she supported the family's caregiving plan but emphasized that the area "flood[s] really bad in Lomax and especially on Houston Drive," and said she wanted engineering and drainage plans validated before construction. The applicants and their supporters repeatedly framed the proposal as a family caregiving need for a 77‑year‑old relative; owners told the commission they did not intend to rent the unit.