West Houston residents are against a proposed 65-unit affordable housing complex near Highway 6 and Briar Forest, citing drainage, traffic and infrastructure issues.
HOUSTON — Residents in west Houston are pushing back against a proposed affordable housing development planned just feet from existing homes near Highway 6 and Briar Forest Drive.
The site, currently an undeveloped field, is being considered for a 65-unit apartment complex proposed by DMA Development Company. Neighbors say the project could bring additional density to an area they believe is already strained by traffic and infrastructure limitations.
Opponents have organized against the project, raising concerns about drainage, flooding and emergency access if the development moves forward.
“This is whether the specific site in question is ready for said development,” said Shyam Parikh, one of several residents fighting the proposal.
Drainage and flood control have emerged as central issues in the debate.
During a Houston City Council meeting, James Keyser, a resident and chemical engineer, warned the project could significantly increase stormwater runoff if the three-acre field is covered with pavement and buildings.
“Once we cover that soil with non-permeable materials, concrete and asphalt, stormwater runoff will occur, and it must go somewhere,” Keyser told council members.
Keyser said current drainage on the property relies largely on soil absorption and runoff into a nearby municipal utility district system. However, he said the district has already indicated it cannot accept additional runoff from the site.
Residents say mobility is another concern.
“With the current population density that’s already there, adding more density without mobility improvements raises concerns about emergency response and daily traffic safety,” another resident said.
The development is seeking 9% state housing tax credits, a competitive funding program often used to finance affordable housing.
DMA Development says it has made adjustments to address some neighborhood concerns. Company representatives told council members they reduced the project to 65 units in a two-story structure and proposed a 30-foot buffer between the apartments and three neighboring single-family homes.
“If I was able to change minds, I think it’s because DMA agreed to limit the development to 65 units in a two-story structure, and we offered a 30-foot boundary to address the privacy concerns of the three adjacent single-family homes,” said Janine Sisak, senior vice president and general counsel for DMA Development.
Even with those changes, the area’s Super Neighborhood 17 recently voted to oppose the project.
City council members also raised concerns about community engagement during the housing tax credit process, emphasizing that developers must work closely with neighborhood groups before seeking city support.
Developers are asking Houston City Council to support their request for the state tax credits. It is unclear when a final decision could come.
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