The Fort Worth City Council has rejected plans for an affordable senior housing project. The development near Risinger and South Hulen would have included 218 apartments.
The Zoning Commission recommended rejecting the project; the council would have had to rezone the area from commercial to high density residential.
"There's really no argument about senior housing. I don't think anybody would argue about senior housing. We believe this is the spot to do it," says Gardner Capital Vice President John Palmer.
The plan drew opposition from people who live nearby, though, who say the complex would have led to increased traffic and safety concerns. The area currently has several fast food restaurants, a bank and other smaller businesses.
"Why would you allow a four story building to be built here?" one woman asked. "Even new apartment complexes off of Chisholm Trail [about a mile west of the site] are only three stories."
"The area has already seen issues with speeding and traffic on South Hulen and Risinger," another said.
Palmer says Gardner Capital met with community groups to talk about their concerns for safety and traffic.
"I want to state for the record there was opposition at all of our meetings. That's one of the reasons we were sent out there: to hear those concerns about crime, traffic and stormwater," he says.
Development Manager Jordan Snyder says 50,000 people in Fort Worth are on waiting lists for affordable housing. He says that is forcing seniors to move far from the city or move into "substandard" housing.
He says rent in Fort Worth has increased 16% in the past year and rent increases are outpacing inflation.
"What that means is people are being priced out of their apartments," he says. "If they don't have the means to afford a home, especially in this market, their options are limited."
The complex would have been open to people 55 and older making $19,000 to $36,000 a year.
The complex would have gone into the district represented by Jared Williams. He said he has had "countless discussions" with the developer and people in District 6 about affordable housing and the project itself.
"Many of you, like me, have heard countless stories about the increasing anxiety many of our constituents both young and old feel each year after seeing their new property tax bill or increased cost of their lease renewal," he said, saying many are "struggling to make ends meet."
Williams said many people in his district are struggling with increased gas prices, saying that part of Fort Worth does not have adequate access to public transportation.
"They're often commuting by car to two or three jobs outside the district or the city," he said. "I've also heard my constituents' concerns about ongoing growth they see across the city. Sometimes, they seemingly see little regard to the zoning commission, land use, compatibility, consistency and whether the city can provide the appropriate levels of infrastructure and services vital to every community."
Williams voted in favor of the Zoning's Commission recommendation. The recommendation to reject the change from neighborhood commercial to high density residential passed 5-4.
Williams, Gyna Bivens, Alan Blaylock, Leonard Firestone and Carlos Flores voted to reject the change; Elizabeth Beck, Michael Crain, Chris Nettles and Mayor Mattie Parker voted in favor.
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