The Montrose Land Defense Coalition

That’s the name of the group that’s not so much fighting against the proposed HEB on the old Wilshire Village location as they are (in their own words) “concerned with the degree to which communities have a say in the development of land directly adjacent to their places of residence” and are seeking “a development solution for this valuable tract that will best benefit businesses and the communities that surround it”. I certainly support that, and I’ll say again that I don’t quite understand why HEB thinks that site would be a good one for one of their stores. So far at least, no politicians have gotten involved in this. I’ll be very interested to see how some of them respond to this, and at what point. Swamplot and Prime Property have more.

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6 Responses to The Montrose Land Defense Coalition

  1. Michael says:

    Why is that NOT a good site for one of their stores? I find it interesting the group is saying they are seeking “a development solution for this valuable tract that will best benefit businesses and the communities that surround it”. When I read in their petition that they have specific ideas on what they want on that property.

    This is an age old problem in Houston, and I rarely find myself wanting to stand behind the communities that fight against these developments. At the end of the day, I find it troubling that people think they are the decision makers in what a property owner can and cannot do with their property.

    Furthermore, these concerned citizens seem to only defend their own homesteads, yet are conspicuously absent whenever another community needs help.

  2. Michael – It may be a good site, I don’t know. The reason I wonder is because there are quite a few grocery stores nearby – the new HEB on Buffalo Speedway is maybe a five minute drive away, for example – and so I question whether there’s enough demand to absorb another store. Maybe there is, I don’t know, I’m just saying it’s not clear to me.

    Parking and traffic are legitimate issues to worry about here as well. Alabama and Dunlavy are one lane each way, and it’s a pain to turn left from either. Again, maybe it’s not as big a deal as I think, but I don’t see any problem with the neighbors raising the question.

  3. Appetitus Rationi Pareat says:

    Great…another giant strip mall.

    Like we don’t have enough of those already….

  4. John says:

    I am sure HEB has done the demographic study which supports the location. Personally, I do think it will be great and you will probably see the Kroger on Montrose and Fiesta get hurt a bit. For better or worse that is the nature of the beast. Traffic on Alabama/Dunlavy is really only bad early a.m. and 4-6 p.m. (if that) during the week so I don’t think that issue will be that bad.

  5. Armando Garcia says:

    I see this issue as a quality of life decision. The Montrose Land Coalition people seem to want an improved quality of life for the city of Houston. This city/county region is the poster child for sprawl, flooding, toxins. Often people forget the benefits of park land, green space, and trees. Remember it is plant life that provides oxygen for us and that acts as a natural micro-filter against fine particulates. A beautiful park can be just what the doctor ordered as medication for stress. HEB would get a better PR boost if it donated such a space. They would receive credit for it in print, City of Houston public announcements, and posted notices at the park. A park also helps with water run-off much better than 17 acres of additional concrete.

  6. Pingback: “HEB with a Montrose feel” – Off the Kuff

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