The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

A Dallas developer is looking at a site in Bridge City for a proposed low-income housing project. Winterberry Developers LLC is making an application for Housing Tax Credits and a HOME Investment Partnership Program with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The project, Royal Gardens, is to be located at approximately 2875 FM 408. This new apartment complex will be comprised of about 49 units. Of the total units, 44 of the units will be for low-income tenants and five units will be rented at the fair market rate.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Authorized under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, the purpose of the program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, affordable housing and strengthen public-private housing partnerships between Units of General Local Governments, Public Housing Authorities, nonprofits and for profit entities, according to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Local citizens and officials have said they are against such a project in Bridge City.

“I am totally against this,” said John Banken, Pct. 3 County Commissioner. During a joint hearing with the planning and zoning commission in Bridge City in Augist 2012, residents voiced their opinions about a possible apartment complex coming to their neighborhood. Some expressed their concerns about the additional traffic while others stated issues, such as, their privacy being breeched. In the end, it didn’t go any farther much to the relief of the citizens.

According to information received, a public hearing will be scheduled for public comments on the proposed development. However, according to Jerry Jones, the city manager for Bridge City has not been contacted about a hearing or has any knowledge of the proposed apartment complex.