The Houston Planning and Zoning Commission will review a plan Thursday that could lead to the development of a 4.25-acre tract southeast of Chestnut and King streets.
It will be the first consideration for the property that was sold in February by the Houston City Council to Scott Lauderdale, a developer. The tract —known as the Forbes property —is bounded by Hawthorn, King and Chestnut streets.
A subdivision plan would need approval from the commission and ultimately a building permit issued by the city administrator’s office. The meeting is 6:30 p.m. July 11 (Thursday) at the city council chambers at city hall.
Under city ordinance, the commission reviews the preliminary plan and sends its decision to the council for consideration. After approval and signature by the mayor, the developer prepares and submits the final plat based on the requirements. That must be approved by the city administrator and a building permit issued.
At previous council meetings, the rumor of the sale brought questions from neighbors who worried about the specific use of the property — which hadn’t been formally announced — and drainage issues on the property. Later in September, some property owners again questioned the sale of the tract. The city bought the property for $80,000 in 2013 and spent another $25,000 to demolish two homes. It was sold for $60,000.
At the time, some council members said they sold the property to generate development in the community and spark related utility sales.