The scoop is this: the project everyone is referring to is simply Phase I. Phase II is a mirror image of Phase I but fronting Richmond...and housing another 230+/- units. There is also a Phase III planned as the developer owns everything (including the two apartments left standing on the corner of Woodhead and Portsmouth) with the exception of the La Tapatia strip center and the homes . Phase III (if constructed) will front Woodhead with entrances and exits on Woodhead. The developer is seeking abandonment of Portsmouth east of Woodhead to make the evil plan work. Problem: I hear the neighborhood is putting up a fight because one of the existing apartment complexes (4403 Woodhead) is apparently deed restricted meaning if it were ever to be demolished any future redevelopment would be required to conform to the restrictions = single family residential. Although I am not familiar with whether or not the Ashby High Rise Ordinance has been voted into law, one would assume these developers would be forced to conduct a traffic study and get the blessing of the City of Houston before being given any future building permits for a Phase II or III. They might want to keep the neighbors happy. 730+/- units could easily & will likely create a traffic nightmare for everyone in that area. The surrounding neighborhood streets (most of which are single family residential) will undoubtedly need to put forward a petition for permit parking. Neighbors are also lobbying for the city to purchase the vacated apartment next to the dog park owned by the Aids Foundation in an effort to expand the park. If the city purchases the property and razes it they could also eliminate a portion of Norfolk that dead ends into the dog park. Given the number of soon-to-be future residents and the erosion of permeable cover, expansion of the park seems like a pretty decent idea. But given the tract record of our great city it will likely never come to fruition.
