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Residents voiced concerns Monday night over a proposal to replace a planned senior living community with a conventional apartment complex south of Myra Lane during a public meeting at Farmers Branch City Hall.
The meeting, held Aug. 3, gave residents an opportunity to question representatives of the developers seeking to remove the 55-and-older age restriction on a planned multifamily development at 12150 Medical Parkway, where only a parking garage currently stands. About 45 people attended the meeting with about 10 voicing their concerns with removing the age restriction.
The city approved a 55-and-older independent living development for the site in 2019. The original developer, MarketSpace Capital LLC, completed the parking garage but halted construction on the residential building before filing for bankruptcy.
The property was later purchased by Cive, which is requesting permission to replace the age-restricted project with a 301-unit apartment complex featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom units, as well as four single-family homes.
Jamail Virani, a business partner representing the developers, opened the City Hall meeting with a presentation on what this multifamily apartment complex would bring for the community if the age restriction were removed. He said that it would attract working professionals and families while increasing economic activity in the city.
"The average income for our potential tenants is going to be roughly $95,000 and above," Virani said. "So we're talking about good working-class individuals and families who will work here, stay here and spend here."
Virani also said that the project could benefit local schools by bringing more families to the area.
"Across all of Texas has become an issue where public schools are starting to close," he said. "There's not enough kids who are in the public school system right now, and when that happens, you lose funding."
David Koch, a Farmers Branch resident living nearby the property, was the first person to voice his concern after Virani’s presentation.
"When I see something that doesn't appear right or smell right, I'm gonna step up and do something," Koch said.
He said the original age restriction was part of an agreement intended to benefit the nearby Dallas Medical Center and should remain in place. He said changing the plan after the agreement was made was unfair to the hospital.
"I grew up in this area. I like my neighbors. I'll help my neighbors, and I'll help the hospital," Koch said.
Resident Lucy Gore spoke up after Koch and said the city still needs housing designed for older adults, noting that many longtime residents hope to remain in Farmers Branch as they age. She said that although the age restriction agreement was made in 2019, it is still something that the Farmers Branch community needs.
"I'm speaking for the rest of my friends and neighbors that would love to stay in the city, and that would be a great, great benefit," Gore said. "Even though I know it was five years ago, it's still needed now."
Other residents raised concerns about increased traffic, the loss of housing intended for seniors and the possibility that a younger apartment community could lead to more crime or reduced property upkeep.
The Farmers Branch Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the request to remove the age restriction during its meeting Aug. 10 at Farmers Branch City Hall. Residents who have concerns about the proposal are encouraged to attend and provide comments.
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