Pearland Guy
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Pearland shoppers push retail growth to top of 5-year charts
By Carol Christian | January 17, 2013 | Updated: January 18, 2013 8:35am
Anyone who drives in Pearland, or commutes to and from the south Houston suburb, knows the community is booming economically.
A recent report by the Texas Retail Survey confirms that, for the five-year period between 2006 and 2011, Pearland was the state's fastest growing retail market, with a growth rate of 9.2 percent. In 2011, Pearland had nearly $962 million in retail sales, according to the survey.
The 2011 report marks the third straight year that Pearland's retail growth over the preceding five years was the highest among the state's 50 largest retail markets. By comparison, the state's retail growth for the five years was 2.7 percent.
In 2009, Pearland's retail growth rate for the prior five years was 17 percent, far surpassing Sugar Land at 4.4 percent and Houston at 4.3 percent.
Pearland's shopping centers have contributed to that retail growth, said Matt Buchanan, Pearland Economic Development Corporation president. He cited four major retail developments, all near Texas 288 and FM 518: Pearland Town Center, Silverlake Village, the Crossing at 518 and Shadow Creek Ranch Town Center.
Pearland's retail sales are driven by strong population growth, Buchanan said. The 2010 U.S. Census showed that Pearland, with more than 91,000 people, grew about 142 percent since the 2000 census.
That spurt made it the nation's 15th fastest-growing city among cities with at least 10,000 people and the second fastest growing city in Texas, Buchanan said.
"People need places to shop and eat," he said. "It's a natural progression of the growth the community has seen for these retail numbers to play out the way they have."
In the Houston metropolitan area, only Houston and Pasadena now have larger populations than Pearland, Buchanan said. He credited the population growth to the community's quality of life, with its good schools and a location convenient to various jobs in the region.
The retail growth is not happening in a vacuum, noted Brad Lybrand, a land broker with TGB Croswell.
"Importantly, in Pearland, it's not just the retail component," he said. "The medical component is also on fire."
For example, he said, Kelsey-Seybold is building a corporate campus that will have about 1,200 employees and a separate medical office building, he said.
HCA has announced construction of a $70 million hospital at Shadow Creek Parkway and Texas 288, Lybrand said.
All this activity is drawing restaurants, with "many more coming," Lybrand said.
In 2011, Houston ranked No. 10 among the 50 largest markets, with a 4.1 percent annual average retail growth rate over five years. Other Houston-area cities in the top 50 included Sugar Land at 2.6 percent; Pasadena, 2.3 percent; Conroe, 1.3 percent; and Baytown, 1.2 percent.
Dallas was No. 44 with zero average growth in the period, according to Texas Retail Survey.
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HCA Gulf Coast Division Announces $71 Million Plan To Build Pearland Medical Center
Specialties in Pediatrics, Women’s Services, Emergency Care and Cardiovascular Health Planned to Meet Needs of Growing Community
Houston, TX, October 30, 2012―HCA Gulf Coast Division announced today that it is building a 30-bed, acute care hospital in Pearland at the southwest intersection of Highway 288 and County Road 2234 (Shadow Creek Parkway). Pearland Medical Center will be built on the 48-acre site that is currently home to a full-service, freestanding 24-hour emergency department, imaging center and a 3-story, 80,000 square-foot medical office building.
“We are excited to expand our presence in Pearland with a state of the art hospital that will allow the citizens of that community to receive quality healthcare close to home,” said Maura Walsh, President of HCA Gulf Coast Division.
Pearland Medical Center will be a 144,000 square-foot, $71 million facility featuring surgical suites, medical/surgical beds, intensive care beds, an emergency department, and an imaging department that will include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), catheterization lab, echocardiogram testing, and nuclear medicine modalities. The hospital’s women’s services will provide digital mammography, labor and delivery suites, cesarean section operating rooms and a newborn nursery. Pearland Medical Center will be designed with the future growth of the community in mind with plans allowing for incremental expansion to meet the needs of the community.
“HCA Gulf Coast Division is delivering the right care at the right time to our residents in their own neighborhood,” said Tom Reid, Pearland Mayor. “HCA is fulfilling a need to provide people with highly technological, high quality healthcare within the community.”
“Pearland Medical Center will benefit the local economy creating jobs in construction service as well as jobs in healthcare and its supporting industries,” said Matt Buchanan, President of the Pearland Economic Development Corporation. “It’s been a desire of our growing community for several years, and we’re very excited that HCA has chosen this site to build a hospital.”
The ground breaking for Pearland Medical Center is scheduled for 2013 with project completion by the end of 2014.
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It amazes me given all the people & especially those who commented here on a topic I started over a year ago don't have anything to say about this. The piece that HEB bought is a prime corner. All these pro HEB were talking about the increased tax base & jobs that would be created. So here you go - Nothing! Nothing now & nothing in the near future - I guarantee it. If the City had not bowed down & rather would have stood up to HEB maybe they would not have bought the land & left the door open for other projects. Now - Not gonna happen with key piece not available - that whole tract is toast! No tax base / no jobs / no other retail for the sorely lacking east side - my as well keep on going to Friendswood.
Somebody please tell me I'm wrong.
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Yes - apparently local residents have done in depth analysis and found that criminals prefer medical facilities to rob over the sitting ducks in grocery store parking lots -
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As you may recall there was a big stink last year over allowing HEB to change from PD to a general business zoning. After much heated debate HEB was allowed to scrap the PD and the property was rezoned to general business. HEB said they could not develop under the current PD and if it were rescinded they could go ahead with development of a new store and have it on their books for 2012 year. So here we are a year later & where do we stand? To my knowledge HEB has not started anything on that site is now going back and forth with the City over the height of Lighting in parking lot.
The city has given away all their bargaining chips. I'll be surprised if HEB builds on that site anytime in the coming years. The only reason they bought that site was to keep another competitor from building there - period. They will probably restrict the property against grocery and sell it.
Please chime in here if you have any more recent information -
HEB coming to east side of Pearland after unanimous approval by council
Proposed plans to build a HEB grocery store at the northwest corner of Broadway and Pearland Parkway are now moving forward thanks to a new compromise agreement between city officials and HEB developers.
And at a meeting held Monday (July 11), the Pearland City Council signaled their support and unanimously approved a zone change request for the 23 acre-site.
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Arby's is & has been closed for quite some time. Seems the entire chain is in a downward spiral & with out much of a fan following. OTB closed & the restaurant is now home to Lupe Tortilla. OTB has made 3 or 4 attempts to enter Houston market & have failed miserably every time. Chain tex-mex has to bring their "A" game when entering Houston or they will fall be the wayside!
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Building projects advance in Pearland area
By Karen Zurawski
Published 11:43 a.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012
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Pearland City Council approved amendments to the performance agreements between the city, Pearland Economic Development Corp. and Kelsey-Seybold to add a 60-day extension to the completion deadline.
The $36 million project, including land, construction, all equipment and fees, now is on schedule, said Nicholas Ro, Kelsey-Seybold's chief legal and strategic officer, and that means some 800 employees will be moving to new offices in July 2013.
The facility can accommodate another 400 employees, and the 18-acre site at Kirby Drive and Shadow Creek Parkway has room for another building and/or parking garage.
Kelsey-Seybold started the design process for the facility in 2008, Ro said, but the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers financial services firm and its impact on the economy stalled the project. Confidence in the economy returned in mid-2010 and Kelsey-Seybold restarted its expansion process.
As part of the process, the company discovered that more than 60 percent of its employees live in the southern part of the Houston area - including Friendswood, Clear Lake and Pearland.
Pearland stood out as a site for the administrative building for a number of reasons, Ro said. "It has great amenities. There's lots of retail and lots of restaurants."
The city also offers a great potential for an employee base with a highly educated work force, he said.
Other important criteria on Ro's list include affordable housing, great schools, reduced commute times for employees and lower land costs in Pearland compared to some other areas of Houston.
Lower land costs in the Pearland area are a definite draw to developers, especially in the last six to eight months, said Brad Lybrand, broker at TGB Crosswell, which was involved in the land deal for Kelsey-Seybold. In December, the company sold land to Sam's Real Estate Business Trust, which is building a 136,000-square-foot Sam's Club on 16.5 acres at Texas 288 and Discovery Bay Drive. The project will include a fuel station.
"I think construction crews are working every night till 9 p.m.," said Lybrand, referring to the Sam's Club site. "They're supposed to have a grand opening in mid-October. I understand they're on target to hit that."
No timeline exists for TGB's development of a retail center at Discovery Bay Drive and the Texas 288 frontage road nor for five commercial pads adjacent to Sam's Club.
As far as tenants, Lybrand said, "We're talking with several groups right now. We'd like to see sit-down restaurants."
Behind Sam's Club at 2500 Business Center Drive is a 370-unit apartment complex, Retreat at Shadow Creek Ranch, which is near the 347-unit Discovery at Shadow Creek Ranch. McCann Realty Partners developed both projects.
Mark Wood, McCann Realty Partners director of development, said the goal is to open the new complex around Feb. 1.
The project will have units with one to three bedrooms, ranging in size from 650 to 1,478 square feet. Preliminary monthly rents are $850 to $1,400.
"We love Pearland. "It's been very good for us," said Wood, citing its proximity to the medical center, schools and shopping centers.
The second phase of Residences at Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway, opened a few months ago adding 172 units to an existing 62.
Square footage ranges from 668 to 1,463 and monthly rents from $1,015 to $1,845 in the Sueba USA Corp. developments.
The selection of Pearland by Kelsey-Seybold is part of an evolution in development, said Matt Buchanan, president of the Pearland Economic Development Corp.
The city experienced tremendous growth in housing first, he said.
In "Growth, Pearland Demographic Overview," published by the Pearland EDC, the U.S. census reported the city grew 142 percent to 91,252 between 2000 and 2010.
This growth means that Pearland was the 15th fastest-growing city in the United States and the second fastest-growing city in Texas, says the EDC.
The overview reports more than 16,000 single-family homes and more than 4,000 multifamily units were built between 2000 and 2010.
Retail growth followed the residential growth. In the last four to five years especially, strong retail growth has occurred in the city, he said, and now, companies like Kelsey-Seybold are coming.
PEDC encouraged Kelsey-Seybold's move by providing up to $413,000 in assistance for the development of the infrastructure that supports the headquarters facility.
Other incentives relate to new jobs created over a 10-year period and 60 percent refunds by the PEDC in the half-percent sales tax and by the city in the 1 percent sales tax over the same time period.
And growth continues.
Last October, for example, the EDC announced that Utah-based Merit Medical Systems Inc., a global medical device company, would build a research, development and manufacturing facility on 12 acres at 14646 Kirby Drive, just north of Shadow Creek Ranch. The two-story, 118,000-square-foot facility will employ more than 200 employees.
"We have a high concentration of medical providers," said Buchanan, adding that the city's proximity to the Texas Medical Center is a factor. "It does seem a natural lure for companies in the medical field - manufacturers and providers of health care and life sciences."
The city also is targeting energy companies.
Ref-Chem, an engineering firm in the energy field, broke ground in June on 11 acres at Beltway 8 and Tom Bass Parkway, he said, and will have 100 employees.
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Posted: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 12:29 pm | Updated: 2:28 pm, Wed Jul 18, 2012.
By JIM MOLONY
Construction on a new’s Sam’s Club at Shadow Creek Ranch is proceeding as scheduled with the 136,085 square feet facility expected to open in October.
The new Sam’s Club, to be located on a 20-acre parcel at the southwest corner of the State Highway 288 South feeder road and Discovery Bay Blvd., is expected to employ more than 500 and include a pharmacy, fuel center, tire and battery center, snack bar and mezzanine with office space.
The contractor for the $4.74 million project is Roche Construction Inc. of Greeley, Colo.
The transaction was brokered late last year by Allen Crosswell of TGB Crosswell and Brendan Lynch of CBRE. In conjunction with the sale to Sam’s Club, TGB Crosswell will be developing a 16,000-square foot retail center.
Sam’s Club is hiring Associates for the new location. Those interested in applying should visit the temporary hiring location at 3145 Silverlake Village #104 Pearland, 77584 (Next to the Armed Forces Career Center) Monday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Or apply online: Visit walmart.com/apply and select Sam’s Club #4843 in Pearland, TX as the location of interest. For more information call 713-340-2184.
TEXAS CHILDREN’S CLINICS
Texas Children’s will open a pair of clinics at 9001 and 9003 Broadway, respectively, later this year.
One building will be a pediatric clinic and the other will be an OB/GYN clinic. The two buildings will cover approximately 14,000 square feet and will be located in front of the Candlewood Suites, next to Spring Creek Barbecue.
TDK Construction of Houston is the building contractor on the $1.032 million project.
MANVEL STATION
TDK Construction is also involved in another construction project not five miles from the Texas Children’s site.
The new convenience store will be located on the corner of the Manvel Road and C.R. 101, just south of Massey Ranch Elementary and across the street from Joseph’s Nursery.
Coffeehouse coming
NewQuest Properties announced a commercial leas in Pearland of 1,500 square foot site for Scooter's Coffeehouse and Yogurt at The Parks at Boulder Creek.
"This is a great example of how strong continuing business growth is in Texas," says Shannon Parker, Director of Marketing at NewQuest Properties.
Bob Conwell represented NewQuest in the lease to Coffee District, LLC, for Scooter's Coffeehouse and Yogurt at The Parks at Boulder Creek. Richard Buxbaum of Wiles Interest, Inc. represented the tenant. The Parks shopping center is located at 10555 Pearland Parkway, situated on 140 acres at the rapidly growing intersection of Pearland Parkway and Beltway 8.
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Kelsey-Seybold putting down roots in Pearland
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courtesy Kelsey-Seybold
Kelsey-Seybold putting down roots in Pearland
Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., F.A.C.P., Chairman of the Board and Managing Director of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic (left) and Pearland Mayor Tom Reid.
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 2:29 pm
By JIM MOLONY
Construction has started on Kelsey-Seybold’s new administration building at an 18-acre site at the northeast corner of Kirby Drive and Shadow Creek Parkway in Pearland.
City and Kelsey-Seybold officials were on site last Wednesday for the official ground breaking on the $21 million project, which will include a 170,000 square feet building and eventually mean 800-1,200 jobs in Pearland.
“We’re excited to be moving our administrative offices here,” Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., F.A.C.P. Chairman of the Board and Managing DirectorKelsey-Seybold Clinic, told The Journal. “I think Pearland is a very good fit for us, a lot of our employees already live in the area and we have a lot of patients that live out here.”
Mayor Tom Reid welcomed Kelsey-Seybold officials to the community.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for Pearland to have a world renowned medical association like Kelsey-Seybold in the community,” Reid said. “I am delighted to have them here in Pearland.
“I’ve been a long-time admirer of Kelsey-Seybold. I met Dr. Seybold many years ago and as we both served in the military around the same time we shared stories of that. It’s a pleasure to see the firm that he started coming to Pearland, it’s a great thing for our city.”
The facility is expected to be completed during the summer of 2013.
Kelsey-Seybold officials cited geographic location, a talented pool of workers locally and the efforts of the city to work with the firm on the project among the reasons Pearland was selected.
“Mayor Tom Reid and (City Manager) Bill Eisen have been very proactive in helping bring this project along and I want to thank them as well as the people of Pearland,” Berthelsen said. “They made it very easy for us to be a part of the community.”
The facility, which will have entrances in the 11500 block of Shadow Creek Parkway (across from Nolan Ryan Junior High) and on Kirby Drive, backs up against a wooded area and will have ample parking.
“We wanted to take advantage of the natural landscaping,” Ro explained.
The new administrative offices will support Kelsey-Seybold’s 370 physicians providing primary care and specialty care at 20 clinic locations throughout the region, including two already in operation in Pearland.
“Initially this will hold 800 employees with a capacity for 1,200,” Kelsey-Seybold’s Nicholas Ro said.
The facility was designed by Powers Brown Architecture and is being built by E.E. Reed Construction, L.P.
TGB Crosswell, formerly CG Commercial Development, developed the property and coordinated the sale with CG-Shadow Creek Ranch Village, L.P., owner of the Shadow Creek Ranch commercial site.
TGB Crosswell Managing Partners Allen Crosswell and Tod Greenwood, and Director of Construction Stan Beard, worked on the sale. Thad Armstrong of Thompson & Knight LLP provided legal representation for Kelsey-Seybold on all aspects of the project.
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Kelsey Seybold Corporate Campus
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Not in my backyard: Residents storm out of council meeting following medical complex approval
Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:57 pm | Updated: 3:39 pm, Tue May 22, 2012.
By KRISTI NIX
A zoning variance requested by developers of a proposed medical development received final approval by the Pearland City Council at a meeting held Monday (May 21).
After the vote, a group of angry residents stormed out of the council chambers.
A few people yelled and shouted at council members as they left, vowing to make their voices heard at the next election.
“Build that hospital and we guarantee you 1,000 homeowners won’t vote for this,” one resident called out.
“There is going to be a lot more voter turnout the next time around,” said another resident.
“It really, really, really shows that (the council doesn’t want to) keep Pearland beautiful!” yelled one person.
“You guys are worthless!” shouted another person as he walked out the door.
Most of the roughly 75 people who came to voice their concerns were residents of the Lakes of Highland Glen subdivision which sits squarely next to the proposed medical development.
According to developers, the project includes plans for a 40-bed hospital, a medical office building and a senior-living community devoted to memory care. The 123 acre area affected by the zoning request includes land on both the east and west side of Pearland Parkway, just north of Barry Rose. However, developers say construction will only affect a 17-acre parcel of the land.
Among the issues raised by residents who spoke during public comment involved potential problems with light and noise pollution; voicing concerns about around-the-clock ambulance sirens and bright lights from the hospital and parking lot shining into people’s homes. Drainage and potential flooding were also an issue that was brought up by residents. Others said the development should be moved to west Pearland or the site of a long-awaited HEB store to be built at the corner of Pearland Parkway and FM 518.
Some speakers accused the council of playing dirty politics and unethical behavior.
“Why change it (the zoning) here when there is an abundance of commercial land all over town including the property at the corner of Pearland Parkway and FM 518? Why doesn’t the hospital develop one of those tracts?” Alfred Ramirez asked the council. “The answer is simple but hasn’t been discussed: money. The hospital saves a lot of money when it buys residential land because it is far cheaper than commercial real estate. Then (the developer) turns around and asks the city to rezone the land. It is a bait-and-switch plain and simple. The hospital is in it to make money but to make it work the city has to play along.
“Our property values are going to decrease because the city government chose to side with big business looking to make more money at the expense of my neighbors,” he also said. “A big outfit comes to town, hires an insider as a consultant and lobbyist who is able to spearhead this effort through despite the objections of the local population.”
Dr. Ryan Coleman, a resident of the subdivision who said he worked in the medical center as a pediatric ICU doctor said he opposed the proposed hospital because it did not offer medical services for children. He went on to say it was unethical for the physician owners to be able to refer patients to their own for-profit hospital.
“These are for-profit physicians who are referring to themselves which is questionable,” Coleman said. “This will not provide the care that people need. I don’t think this is a hospital for the community; this is a hospital for the physicians. “
“We expect you to do your job and represent us,” he also said. “Should you choose not to represent us and instead represent a small for-profit company that has questionable bottom-line business ethics you can also know that we will choose (someone else) who will better represent us in the future.”
Tim Delgado, who spoke on behalf of the developers defended the project and claimed some opposers had launched a smear campaign against University General Health System.
“This development will be a first-class physician-centered hospital, a faith-based senior-living community for memory care, a small medical office building and possibly a small scale nursing facility; all of which are adjacent to a strip center with a restaurant, a bar, a 24-hour emergency room and a massage spa,” he said.
“After reading and hearing some of the derogatory emails and statements it appears some of those opposed want to turn this into a personal attack or an attack on University,” he said.
Delgado also alleged some residents who opposed the medical development were reportedly spreading misinformation.
“This type of distortion where opinions attempt to outweigh the truth and where a few loud individuals try to drown out the voices of reason and common sense are unfortunate and in my opinion, do not serve the interests of the entire Pearland community,” he said.
After more than an hour of public comments, council members each voiced their views prior to the vote. However, residents shouting from the audience repeatedly interrupted the council discussions.
“We are the third largest city in an 11-county area. It is Houston, Pasadena and it is us and we don’t have a hospital,” Councilmember Woody Owens said.
“Build a bigger one; you’ve got plenty of land!” someone called out from the audience.
A few minutes later another person interrupted Owens again, calling out “That’s inappropriate,” and “You’re wrong!”
Councilmember Scott Sherman said it was wrong to make personal attacks and expressed his frustration that several people had accused the council of being dishonest.
“I have no problem with residents coming here and expressing their opinions, expressing their concerns, expressing their frustrations. But I will not sit up here and have my integrity questioned based on false accusations, on made-up stories or past history that I had no involvement in. I am here to listen to you. I am here to represent you and the entire city of Pearland,” he said.
“That is not why we are here; we are here to make an informed decision. We are not here to be attacked,” he said.
Councilmember Greg Hill also voiced concerns about alleged personal attacks and unwarranted accusations.
“I don’t think anyone takes too kindly to threats,” he said. “I understand it is an emotional argument. But we all are responsible for our comments whether emotion is involved or not. But, we are up here doing a service to the community. If you don’t want to vote for me or you don’t think I work hard enough then just vote me out of office. But that shouldn’t be a threat; it just means I’m not doing my job.”
“It is also disingenuous, and quite frankly insulting, to suggest that none of us have done any research on this,” he said. “I’m not taking this issue lightly; I’m doing my homework.”
Councilmember Susan Sherrouse encouraged the residents to stay involved in city government and make their voices heard at the polls.
“The reason I got involved in city government is because of zoning. This is my passion; this is what I think is very important,” Sherrouse said. “We need to develop. We need to plan for what our city is today and we need to plan for what it will be tomorrow. We all have a common vision. We all love our town; that’s why we moved here.”
During Sherrouse comments, someone shouted to her from the audience.
“We don’t think you listen to us!” he called out and others yelled out in reply “Yeah!” causing the room to break out in loud applause.
After asking for any final comments from the council, Mayor Reid finally ended the discussion and called for the vote. The council then voted unanimously to approve the zone variance request.
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Does anyone know how it turned out @ Pearland City Council last night?
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HA!! My favorite is when people post that inner city punks will ride the bus into park n ride & commit a bunch of crimes & hop back on metro with their stolen treasure!!! Still makes me laugh!
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They should be so lucky to have this type of amenity in close proximity. Worried about crime - please - they are lucky it's not a big retail center - that's what attracts crime! Not hospitals -
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Pearland homeowners demand city council block proposed hospital, medical development
Posted: Friday, May 18, 2012 5:39 pm
By KRISTI NIX
The Pearland City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed zone change that would advance plans for a new medical development to include a 40-bed general acute-care hospital, a medical office building and a memory care facility Monday (May 14).
The proposed development is located on the east and west sides of Pearland Parkway, north of Barry Rose.
A group of nearby homeowners from the Lakes of Highland Glen subdivision said they opposed the development and urged the council to deny the zone change.
The residents say the new development will cause increased traffic on Pearland Parkway and excessive light and noise pollution. One resident also said building the hospital would cause home values to drop and cause an increase in crime.
“When you have an emergency room you are going to have increased vagrancy,” Lakes of Highland Highland Glen resident Steve Greer said. “You are going to have people coming there seeking drugs, that is a huge problem in our emergency rooms.
“You are going to have a magnet to draw people out of high crime areas into our backyards,” he said.
Greer also asked the council as elected officials to consider the needs of homeowners when making their decision.
“I think it is important everybody here realizes we want politicians who support the local Pearland homeowner,” Greer said. “Our slogan for a while was Pearland was the homeowners’ paradise. This is where you want to come and build your house. We are not an industrial or commercial place.”
One council member said she feels the individual rights of property owners are an important consideration.
“As a government official I also have to think about zoning,” Councilmember Susan Sherrouse said. “I am all about property rights. When you buy property you should be able to do what you want to do with it. But then people want to tell their neighbors what to do with their property.
“I am very proud that Pearland has zoning and that we have a planning and zoning commission. We take that into serious consideration because our homeowners are very important to us,” she said. “But, then again our businesses are also very important to us.”
The city council will consider final approval at a meeting scheduled Monday (May 21).
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By KRISTI NIX
Prompted by months of delays and questions from residents, Pearland City Councilmembers Greg Hill and Woody Owens asked city planners for a status report on zoning issues involving construction of a new grocery store at the corner of Broadway and Pearland Parkway. The council met to ask questions and air their concerns at a city council workshop Monday (May 14).
“There has been an incredible amount of email from concerned citizens who want the HEB (development) to go forward and I wanted to be clear that it is my position and I believe most of the members of council that we want this project to go forward as well,” Hill said at the start of the meeting.
“I wanted to ask for a timeline of the incident with respect to HEB and what their proposal/suggestion has been. I have talked to Richard Golden from HEB and I am getting one thing; I’ve talked to folks within the city (staff) and I am getting another. All I know is I just want the city’s position to be clear,” he said.
City ordinances require parking lot lights to be the same height as the proposed grocery store. However, the current store design does not meet the requirement and HEB officials are asking city officials to approve variances to the ordinance. Current zoning also requires the new store to have glass windows and doors on the side facing FM 518 which has created more complications as HEB officials have requested another variance to shift the glass elements to the side facing Pearland Parkway.
“I don’t see that they are serious issues. We want to see if we can get it resolved and move the project forward,” Owens said. “I am more interested in having the site developed and having the 350 jobs it will bring to that area.”
Mayor Reid expressed his frustration with the process.
“We use the down-looking lower lights because the development is adjacent to a subdivision. But, it is a long way from the subdivision so I don’t the lighting is significant as it would be if shining in people’s yards,” Reid said.
HEB officials have two choices to request the needed variances said City Manager Bill Eisen.
“Those are zone ordinance requirements and there are two ways to not meet those requirements; one is to go through the planning and development process and one is to go before the ZBA (for a ruling).
Heb has indicated it will probably be July or August before they will be ready to plead their case to the ZBA.
“I would hate to see it go downhill and not be approved by the ZBA just for the election of the lights. It would seem to me the two issues they have are extremely minor on the overall project,” Owens said. “It seems like there should be something we could do to avoid the issue of avoiding going to the ZBA.”
If HEB officials choose to prepare exhibit documents and request a hearing before the ZBA, their variance request could be denied which would mean going back to the drawing board to create new store designs.
Councilmember Susan Sherrouse also wanted to know what alternate solutions might be available.
“I don’t want to go back into redesigning I just want to know: what is the next step forward so HEB can move forward?” Sherrouse said.
Frustrated council members questioned city staffers at length about the possible alternatives.
“One thing to note is HEB could build the store tomorrow with the current zoning if they wanted.” Eisen said. “But in terms of these specific variations from what the current zone requires it is a matter of finding a way to approve something that is agreeable to both the city and HEB. And again from council comments it sounds like the council is very open to the idea of approving these issues if they are brought before the council (again).
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Sherman asked city planners for their help.
“The only request I would make is for whoever is working with HEB, could somebody pick up the phone tomorrow, call the folks and say ‘Is there anything we need to get you that would make this happen before August?
“Let’s this thing moving,” added Reid.
“I just want to make sure we’re not the road block,” Sherman said.
“I think this project has been the subject of great discussion for a year or two and I have yet to meet anybody that doesn’t want to see an HEB at that location,” Eisen said. “I think there is a common goal; it is just a matter of getting through the process.”
“I wanted to get this on the agenda to try and see if we could all work together and see if there was anything we could do to help HEB along,” Hill said.
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Proposal would add toll lanes to U.S. 290 and Texas 288
Commissioners will soon vote on deal to jump-start project
By Mike Morris
Updated 11:41 p.m., Thursday, April 5, 2012
Projects to widen U.S. 290 and Texas 288 with a mix of free and toll lanes in an attempt to ease congestion in the traffic-choked corridors would get a jump-start under a proposed agreement between Harris County and the Texas Department of Transportation.
The deal, scheduled for a vote by Commissioners Court next Tuesday, also foresees the state building a direct connection from Texas 288 to the Texas Medical Center, as well as improving nearby Almeda and Cullen.
TxDOT spokesman Bob Kaufman said work on U.S. 290 could start early next year; he declined to say when dirt could turn on Texas 288, but said environmental work is under way.
"This is an important step that says we're going to work on this program together, we're both going to bring funding to it, the toll road authority will collect tolls to help pay for it, and it's going to address in an aggressive way the congestion on 290," said Art Storey, the county's director of public infrastructure, who oversees the Harris County Toll Road Authority.
Storey said the details of each project still need to be worked out.
2 commissioners wary
County Judge Ed Emmett called the agreement exciting, and said it was the product of months of negotiations between state officials and court members.
"It's a lot of projects at a time when everybody else is wringing their hands going, 'Gee, what are we going to be able to do?' " he said. "To finally tell people who use 290 and 288, 'Here's a definitive plan and it's going to start sooner rather than later,' I think is a big plus."
Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack, through whose precinct a large part of U.S. 290 passes, was more wary. The county, he said, has not been repaid for $77 million it spent developing Segment E of the Grand Parkway before turning the job over to the state. Radack said he would like that back before the county contributes a proposed $400 million to help build U.S. 290, which is under the state's jurisdiction.
"What they're asking the county to do is participate in order to get something done," Radack said. "So, we're saying we'll look at participating, but let's look at what y'all are proposing and is it a good plan for the county. It's not Harris County's fault that the state of Texas doesn't have the money to do what is their responsibility."
Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman also expressed skepticism, but for a different reason. TxDOT must not neglect Texas 146, the widening of the southeastern portion of Beltway 8, or the expansion of the Ship Channel bridge, he said.
"We need a funded plan for all major Harris County projects," Morman said. "So far the focus has been on Grand Parkway and 290. That's fine, but I won't let the east side take a back seat."
In 'striking distance'
The proposal envisions a free lane being added in each direction on U.S. 290 between the 610 Loop and the Grand Parkway, and two to three managed lanes in the center. There is disagreement about which directions those lanes should flow at what times. The plan for Texas 288, according to the agreement, would see two toll lanes added from U.S. 59 to near the Brazoria County line. TxDOT's Kaufman said it is too early to discuss details on either project.
Alan Clark, head of transportation planning for the Houston-Galveston Area Council, said the agreement puts long hoped-for improvements "within striking distance." Both stretches of U.S. 290 and Texas 288 are among TxDOT's 100 most-congested road segments.
"None of this would be possible if it weren't for our ability to use toll financing on some of these projects," he said. "The funding shortfall is still very much present when we're talking about adding or constructing lanes that would not be tolled."
Cautionary note
Citizens Transportation Coalition board chairwoman Marci Perry and advocacy chairwoman Carol Caul said they support improvements to the congested section of U.S. 290 inside Highway 6, but said population statistics do not support such an investment much beyond that point.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, whose district is home to a large section of U.S. 290, said there is no question that both projects are needed.
"If we want to continue the economic growth and the prosperity that we have, we have to address mobility," Cagle said. "If this agreement is signed, it'll be a signal to everyone, not just within our region but … to the entire nation, that 'Houston is ready to do business - come on down.' "
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Happened to pass by site HEB bought after all the brohaha @ Pearland Pkwy & 518 today. I see they have not started anything. Anybody have an update on their timing?
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I was looking in the Savannah Community off Highway 6 and looked at the mortgage calculator for a home I liked....The range was around $270K or so. Am I correct that taxes for homes in that range are nearly $800 a month or more? Is it because its Rosharon? Brazoria County?
As for homebuilders, I was looking in Southfork and ran across this home builder named Cervelle Homes....I noticed these homes have the same amount of square footage and more garage space than alot of the higher priced homes in the area but for a cheaper price. Are these homes of good quality?
In the local area Cervelle builds in SouthFork & SouthGate. Yes, they are quality homes. The garages that look like barns are the unique part of their concept. The garages can be finished to be whatever you like - additional rooms, work space.... I don't think you can get a better home for the price per square foot anywhere else in the area.
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I have lived in Pearland since 1994. Population was around 26,000 when we got here. What I have marveled at for a long time is the fact that at some point Pearland City Hall decided that we are a "Planned Community". That makes my wife and I laugh every time we see the sign. There was nothing planned about Pearland for the longest time, it just sort of happened. Now as we grew I guess they tought they should try to plan some things, but while they were thinking about it all those wonderful little retail strip centers popped up along 518 riding the "SilverLake" wave. Heck there are businesses as far east as 35 and 518 advertising themselves as SilverLake. Now HEB wants to build and this whole mess pops up. Well I live on the far east side and for one would love the idea of going to a HEB and not having to drive to 288 or 528 in Friendswood to get to one. I also would like to leave my tax dollars in Pearland. However the City Council wants what they want in terms of what is built and how it is built. They want a say in the quality of the offering. Well remember this the mayor lives on the East Side as well as a couple other council members. Maybe they don't want to see their side of town trashed out. Who knows.
The problem I have is when the mayor as he did several weeks ago said that the landowners were asking to much and that if they were willing to take less money then the deal could get done. What a crock! The City decides to put or in this case keep certain zoning requirements in place that will cost HEB or whoever buys the land more money. In order to get the deal done, he essentially tells the landowners to reduce their price to pay for the requirements he wants. Meddle in private business you think? HE is essentially asking the landowners to subsidize beautification that the city wants. I say find out what it takes and recall the old dude. He does not need to tell private landowners what their land is or is not worth. The market does that and he is now officially on record because he and the other council members are playing with zoning to affect the value. I don't know but in my world they are treading on thin ice with this one.
And finally the last election offered no relief. Had Cole defeated Ried we would still be right where we are because Cole is just another of the old guard. When I complained about the cheap strip centers being built along 518 years ago he responded to a post here or on another forum by saying that the City could do nothing to stop them being built because it was private land zoned for retail use. Well whats the difference here Kevin and all you city council folks?
brerrabbit - We drink from the same trough! Happy 4th!
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They are not refusing to change PD as it has been pointed out
Several times by numerous council members. HEB will not even step
up to the plate consider abiding by the PD. They are saying we
don't like the rules - we want a whole zoning for us. Saboe and others
have said this over and over "HEB won't even consider doing this.
Don't be fooled by these strong arm tactics - this is the grocery
store business and this is how HEB has chosed to play it. Basically
HEB is saying it's our way or the Highway. Funny, to me it seems
Sherman and especially Thompson are the most uninformed. It's as
if he has no experience is dealing with such matters - maybe becuae
he does not. We shall see in a couple of weeks. Glad to see someone
else out there considering the issues -
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You are giving me the stock political reasoning. I feel like I'm talking to Ms. Sherrouse herself. Fine. So you are calling that Lowe's a high-end development? Sorry, but I just don't see it. I do like Lowe's,but I don't see it being any different than a .99c store. They are both commerical pad sites.
There is commerical development on all other corners of that intersection, so putting an HEB in there is not going to hurt one bit.
Your analogy about the trash bins makes me wonder if you actually live in Pearland, because any Pearlander will tell you we are not allowed to use trash bins. Waste Management prohibits there use, per contract with the city.
Yes, I know the P&Z Commission serves a purpose but in my opinion they are woefully out of touch with the residents' wishes (you know polls show most Pearlanders want the HEB there, right?)
I'm lost as to why you keep on refering to Sherrouse. Either way, you are missing the point. I know everyone wants HEB there. I like HEB too. It's about making them adhere to a higher quality development.
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Your answer brings up a couple of points:
1. I agree that 518 has a smattering of mismatched, ugly, and empty strip centers. Where was Ms. Sherrouse and the Planning & Zoning Commission when all that was put before them? Asleep at the wheel? Sayiing they are inconsistent is putting it mildly.
2. If that corner was pristeen with no other commerical businesses near it, i could see your point. But the Lowe's right across the street sorta destroys the ambiance of putting something higher class in there. Think about it.
3. HEB has been good for the west end of town, and it could be for that corner too. They also seem to care about the community, based on the recent article in the Pearland Journal.
Pearland has a good problem to have. As the 2nd fastest growing city in the state according last census, Pearland has undergone dynamic growth. As smaller towns experience phenominal growth there is always a steep learning curve. Mistakes are often made & lessons are learned along the way. As is the case with Pearland. Alot of the garbage up & down 518 was there before the population explosion. The city began a process to identify various corridors through out the city that would be suitable for high density development & place controls on them. The owners of "HEB Tract" obviously saw this more stringent regulation as a plus & requested the exsisting PD. The Lowe's on the other corner is an excellent neighbor & you should be glad to have a development of that quality. If it were not for PD in place on "HEB Tract" you might see a .99 cent store, dollar store.... What would you like to see there? There is not going to be any ultra premium development in Pearland - demographics won't suppport it. Yes, HEB on the west side has been good & they are fine corporate citizens as it has been pointed out by the media at least a dozen times. Again, no one is doubting that.... the argument is why should they be allowed to not follow exsisting development requirements that are in place to ensure quality developments. Tim you should be glad such requirements are in place. They have kept your values up throughout a treacherous economy.
Think about it like this. If the average person where to drive through your neighborhood on trash pickup day & see all the trashbags out on the street they would come away with a less than desireable image. It looks bad. Other communities with more stringent HOA's would not stand for this. It is mandated that all trash be placed at appropriate place & in a regaulation trash can. The community with uniform trash receptacle looks better than the one with out. It is cleaner, more sanitary, eye appealing & values will be higher. All of which will come at a higher cost for you through your HOA. Think of the PD as your neighborhood that has the trashcans on the street versus the (GB) neighborhood with trash bags on the street.
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Yes I have followed it. Close enough to see you are just repeating Ms. Sherrouse's rhetoric. Read Marksmu's reply. He is spot on. Pearland has a bad rep with developers, and this fiasco with HEB is a case in point. It's costing us tax revenue and jobs, and until citizens wake up and vote out the old-guard that still controls the city, things won't change.
TimnWendy - Not just repeating Ms. Sherrouse's rhetoric here. Drive up & down 518 and look at the smattering of mismatched, ugly, & empty strip centers. HEB is no dummy, they are trying to strong arm the city to reduce the quality of development they have to build plain & simple. That corner is a prime piece of real estate & that's why they want it. If HEB does not build there someone else will. The PD in place does not call for gold plated fixtures & 60% green space. It calls for any future development at that corner to above the usual development standards for GB. For example, go look at Woodlands, Cinco, Sugaraland, Katy... Do you think all the developments in that area just happen to be a cut above. No, they were forced to do so through the various governing entities. Having strict guidelines creates quality developments. Like having a quality HOA that maintains your neighborhood versus not having one thus allowing for cars parked in yard, couches on porch, trash on street for days ahead of pick up....
HEB At 2710 Pearland Pkwy.
in Coastal Prairie and Bay
Posted
Just wanted to follow up on this. It's nearing the 2 year anniversary of HEB getting approved @ Pearland Pkwy & 518 with their plans to build a store asap & get in on their books for 2012 7 bringing all the jobs and tax base that all supporters were in favor of. Any news of their intent to build a store here?
It's begining to look like a long term hold which will slow down any future growth at that intersection without the hard corner available.