Denied: Lubbock City Council votes to reject proposed South Overton student housing project

Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Updated ·2 min read
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Kristen Sager, director of planning for the City of Lubbock, presents a proposed zone change in the South Overton neighborhood to the Lubbock City Council on Tuesday.
Kristen Sager, director of planning for the City of Lubbock, presents a proposed zone change in the South Overton neighborhood to the Lubbock City Council on Tuesday.

A controversial proposed student housing project planned for the South Overton neighborhood in central Lubbock was rejected by the Lubbock City Council in a 3-4 vote Tuesday evening.

The council came to its decision after nearly three hours of public hearing, with eight people speaking in favor and more than 20 opposing the project. The council also received 102 letters in favor and 64 against the project.

Councilmembers Christy Martinez-Garcia, Latrelle Joy, Shelia Patterson Harris and Mark McBrayer voted against the project with Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson, Mayor Tray Payne and Councilman Steve Massengale voting in favor.

The proposal presented Tuesday was a modified version of the one the Planning and Zoning Commission heard and ultimately recommended in July.

More: Zoning commission gives initial nod to South Overton student housing, headed to council

The differences between the two proposals include the following:

  • The number of beds was 720 in the last proposal, but was reduced to 715 in the most recent proposal — the maximum number of beds will fit into the building.

  • Parking in the previous proposal was 544 spaces, but that number was increased to 597 spaces with two potential surface parking spaces in nearby lots that will accommodate 42 cars.

  • The design of the building also changed from the proposed gray concrete and glass design to a dark gray and brown concrete and brick building.

According to the city's planning department, the new proposal was submitted Friday before the council held its meeting on Tuesday.

Those who spoke in opposition cited the same issues previously brought to the attention of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Among those issues were parking, traffic and other safety concerns.

The South Overton neighborhood also garnered support in the chamber from Tech Terrace and members of other city neighborhoods in opposing the project.

More: New City of Lubbock logo could be coming soon

South Overton resident Tonja Hagy-Valdine speaks in opposition to a zone change to build a large student housing complex at a Lubbock City Council meeting Tuesday.
South Overton resident Tonja Hagy-Valdine speaks in opposition to a zone change to build a large student housing complex at a Lubbock City Council meeting Tuesday.

A common theme emerged among those who spoke in opposition to the project, which was summed up by the leader of the opposition and resident of the neighborhood Tonja Hagy-Valdine.

"We would welcome reasonable thoughtful development that acts as a buffer between the existing neighborhood and the high-traffic commercial entities that border us on all sides," Hagy-Valdine said. But Hagy-Valdine said she doesn't feel this particular project would effectively do that.

This project was proposed to be just off University Avenue between 14th and 15th streets and is in City Council District 1 — represented by Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia.

Lubbock City Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia, who represents District 1 including South Overton, listens to arguments in opposition to a proposed zoning change for a student housing development in the neighborhood Tuesday.
Lubbock City Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia, who represents District 1 including South Overton, listens to arguments in opposition to a proposed zoning change for a student housing development in the neighborhood Tuesday.

During the meeting, Martinez-Garcia emphasized the importance of taking care of people who live in Lubbock's neighborhoods.

"I understand that we want to erect monuments to honor our legacy," Martinez-Garcia said. "If you really want to make an impact, build a legacy that invests in the people that live in the neighborhoods."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock City Council blocks South Overton student housing project