KOLKHORST, LEMAN URGE CITY OF BRENHAM TO SHOW RESTRAINT ON SANDY POINT HOUSING PROJECT
(courtesy City of Brenham)
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst and State Representative Ben Leman have urged restraint by the City of Brenham concerning Sandy Point Housing, Ltd.’s proposed tax-credit home development.
The two lawmakers say many constituents have contacted their offices about the Low to Moderate Income (LMI) project being considered on Pecan Street. They ask the city to perform more research before adding more LMI developments, and encouraged concerned residents to attend tomorrow’s (Thursday) Brenham City Council meeting, where this topic will be discussed.
The council unanimously approved a resolution granting full support for the development at its meeting on February 4th. The developer plans to build 27 single-family homes for affordable rental housing on approximately 9 acres on the north side of Pecan Street, west of Loesch Street and east of Kerr Street.
(courtesy City of Brenham)
According to the 2021 Site Demographics Characteristic Report issued by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the City of Brenham has three times the amount of housing tax credit units per capita than the rest of the state.
As a result of this data and pursuant to the Qualified Allocation Plan, housing tax credit applicants looking to develop in Brenham must obtain the city’s approval for their applications. This approval must be included in the full application submitted to TDHCA as a written statement of support from the local governing body for the development. The application is due March 1st.
(courtesy City of Brenham)
Kolkhorst said Brenham has done “more than its fair share” of LMI developments compared to the rest of the state, adding that her office has heard from many constituents who felt the process was “not transparent, nor was there enough time given to voice their concerns.” Leman said he and Kolkhorst have cautioned city leaders against additional projects, given that the city “already has a disproportionately high percentage of housing projects compared to the State of Texas.”
As part of the council’s approval earlier this month, it made a condition that surrounding property owners be notified by Sandy Point Housing, Ltd. The city said the developer has satisfied this requirement by sending letters to approximately 60 surrounding property owners.
The council will meet tomorrow (Thursday) at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall to discuss the matter. However, the item is listed under the consent agenda, meaning it is considered routine and can be acted on by the council with a single vote, unless a councilmember pulls it from the consent agenda to have the council discuss it regularly.