We request that the Spring Valley Planning and Zoning Committee and City Council approve a much lower profile building than originally proposed at 9210 Katy Freeway, to reduce the negative impact on our Spring Valley neighborhood between Campbell Rd and Adkins Rd. Specifically, we would like to propose height limits of no higher than fifty-four (54) feet and a minimum setback of 80 feet from the sound wall as described in the existing Spring Valley Village District B ordinance.

Summary of original proposal from developer i3 Interests

To build a 6-story (85 ft. high) medical building at 9210 Katy Freeway (this is the lot where AT&T currently has a large shed for parking some of their trucks, just east of the existing large 6-story 9230 Katy Freeway Medical Building). The first 4 floors (one underground) are for parking and the top 3 stories for medical offices. The proposed setback from the sound wall is 60 ft.

Planning and Zoning Committee (P&Z) held a public hearing May 12, 2020, where several neighbors expressed concerns with such a massive building so close to the sound wall (which is the back fence for several homes in our neighborhood).

At the conclusion, P&Z asked the developer to consider changing the design due to the many concerns expressed.

Concerns Expressed

1. Deterioration of the residential character of our neighborhood. Spring Valley Village (SVV) is primarily a residential community and the proximity of such a large building is detrimental to maintaining a residential appeal

a. This could set the standard for future developments between Adkins Rd and Campbell Rd along the Katy freeway

b. The line of sight for the neighborhood would be dramatically and negatively impacted with a massive tall building right behind our backyards

2. Negative impact on property values

3. Our section of SVV would be disproportionally affected by the location of more tall buildings between Campbell Rd and Adkins Rd. There are already two tall buildings in this section

4. Significant detrimental impact on the privacy and safety of our neighborhood. Anyone can monitor our neighborhood’s activities from a tall building. With today’s advanced zoom lenses, our privacy is at risk

5. Increased cut through traffic across the West Tex Dr. /Anne St. /Cardwell St. /Bade St. /Hilldale St. neighborhood

6. Some have pointed out that a building will reduce I-10 freeway noise. However, some testing indicates only a very small noise reduction which does not justify the negative impact of a large building. Besides, a lower profile building will also reduce noise

7. Because SVV is such a wonderful small community where our leaders and representatives are also our neighbors, we ask that anyone serving on the Planning and Zoning Board or City Council who is personally or professionally associated with i3 interests recuse themselves from discussing and voting on this matter