The proposed Ashby high rise gets the green light from the city of Houston after its developers agree to make changes to reduce traffic.
The 23 story high rise near Bissonnet and Ashby many residents have feared is one step closer to becoming a reality.
"It's a terrible thing for the neighborhood," said Allison Clifton, a concerned resident.
On Friday, the city of Houston approved plans submitted by developers for the major residential project to be located at 1717 Bissonnet, in the middle of mostly single-family homes. This after 10 previous versions of the project were rejected because it failed to meet some of the city's development codes.
"I believe the project was an ill-conceived project from the beginning," said Norman Rund, another concerned resident.
The approval comes after months of negotiations, and after developers agreed to slightly reduce the number of residential units as well as to eliminate plans for a commercial spa, retail space, and executive offices.
"The traffic situation here is already terrible," said Clifton. "Bissonnet backs up everyday. It's going to be complete gridlock."
The city's goal was to reduce the estimated traffic in and out of the so-called Ashby high rise by more than 33%.
Access to the high rise would now be limited to just Bissonnet and not any other surrounding streets.
"They've made minor concessions," said Rund. "But again they are minor, but it's still a 23 story building in a neighborhood that could be put in a better spot."
Houston Controller, Annise Parker agrees with concerned residents. She said:
"I have a continuing concern that increased traffic resulting from the project will pose an unacceptable public safety risk to the surrounding neighborhood, bring a decreased quality of life for the residents, a loss of privacy and a negative impact on their property values."
Southhampton residents say they will continue to fight the hi-rise.
39 news tried to contact the high rise's developer, Buckhead Investment Partners, but as of Saturday was unable to reach anyone for comment.
The 23 story high rise near Bissonnet and Ashby many residents have feared is one step closer to becoming a reality.
"It's a terrible thing for the neighborhood," said Allison Clifton, a concerned resident.
On Friday, the city of Houston approved plans submitted by developers for the major residential project to be located at 1717 Bissonnet, in the middle of mostly single-family homes. This after 10 previous versions of the project were rejected because it failed to meet some of the city's development codes.
"I believe the project was an ill-conceived project from the beginning," said Norman Rund, another concerned resident.
The approval comes after months of negotiations, and after developers agreed to slightly reduce the number of residential units as well as to eliminate plans for a commercial spa, retail space, and executive offices.
"The traffic situation here is already terrible," said Clifton. "Bissonnet backs up everyday. It's going to be complete gridlock."
The city's goal was to reduce the estimated traffic in and out of the so-called Ashby high rise by more than 33%.
Access to the high rise would now be limited to just Bissonnet and not any other surrounding streets.
"They've made minor concessions," said Rund. "But again they are minor, but it's still a 23 story building in a neighborhood that could be put in a better spot."
Houston Controller, Annise Parker agrees with concerned residents. She said:
"I have a continuing concern that increased traffic resulting from the project will pose an unacceptable public safety risk to the surrounding neighborhood, bring a decreased quality of life for the residents, a loss of privacy and a negative impact on their property values."
Southhampton residents say they will continue to fight the hi-rise.
39 news tried to contact the high rise's developer, Buckhead Investment Partners, but as of Saturday was unable to reach anyone for comment.
