Shady Lane residents meet with developer

Before a proposal to bring homes north of Texas 114 returns to City Council, the developer and neighbors met to discuss plans that would appear before the council.

Roughly 20 residents along Shady Lane met with developer Kosse Maykus on March 18 to review his plans to bring homes on about 20 acres.

Maykus showed one plan that would bring 18 homes with green space and other amenities, and an alternate plan of 17 one-acre home sites that would fill the space. Maykus tabled his plan at a previous council meeting after the mayor and other council members asked for the developer and residents to meet so home owners could see the possibilities of their future neighbors.

“My suggestion to give it the extra time is on behalf of the citizens, not the developer,” Mayor John Terrell said at a previous City Council meeting. “This is not a life net for this developer this is making sure these citizens are not strapped.”

The 18-lot plan would require a zoning change approved by the Council, while the 17-lot plan would not.

Resident Tim Miller said the development has caused a division in the neighborhood. He said he supports development and the key is if the proposed plan is a good fit, but he does not know what the solution is.

“Does it fit the needs of the community?” he said after the meeting. “I’d like to see good quality developments.”

Maykus said he thinks the 18-lot plan is better, but if it is not approved, he will go with the alternate plan with one road, homes closer to the roadway and no planned green space.

“I don't threaten a really crummy deal to get a good deal approve,” he told the residents. “I’ve been pushed to this, but I will do this, and there will be buyers.”

Sammy Armstrong who lives across the street from the proposed development said he prefers the plan with more green space. He urged his neighbors to realize that development was going to happen.

“All I’ve heard from you guys is a you-don't-want-anything option,” he said. “You’re not fighting this development, you’re fighting for the past and what you want the future to be.”

Maykus said he plans to return with his proposal to the first City Council meeting in April. He expressed disappointment that many of the people who attended the City Council meeting did not attend the March 20 meeting.

“I’m glad the City Council facilitated the opportunity to meet with the resident group,” he said. “I’m disappointed I did not have the opportunity to meet with as many people to discuss the merits of my word.”

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Shady Lane residents meet with developer."