Manvel City Council reviewed a proposed 51-acre residential development from homebuilder D.R. Horton at its Nov. 2 meeting. The plan calls for about 54 half-acre lots along Uzzell Road. The land is zoned open single-family residential, which requires a minimum lot size of 1 acre, according to city documents.
The proposal would need variances from the city's design criteria manual, covering sidewalks and water storage, and a zoning change. It includes no sidewalks inside the development but does include a walking path around the detention pond and along Uzzell Road, documents show. It also proposes a ground-level water storage tank instead of the elevated tank required by city standards. The developer would fund the water system, while a private utility would build, operate and maintain it and set water rates.
Mayor Dan Davis said the half-acre lots do not align with the city's land use maps and zoning, which aim to preserve the area's rural character. He acknowledged the potential benefits of offering residents smaller lot options. Council member Garrett Rossi-Knox suggested the developer consider lots of 1 acre or more. Several council members suggested the developer seek feedback from residents, particularly those near the site, before moving forward. City officials said the property would need to be rezoned if the project proceeds.