‘We don’t want anything like that’: South Park residents rally against turning vacant property into junkyard

HOUSTON – Residents of Houston’s South Park neighborhood are rallying against the potential conversion of a vacant property into a junkyard, salvage yard, or container facility, citing environmental concerns and quality-of-life issues for the community.

The property at 6052 Bellfort has already received three violations from the City of Houston, including one for a nine-foot fence that exceeds legal height limits by one foot. Additional citations were issued for failing to submit proper development plans and allowing the property to become overgrown with weeds.

“This is a great neighborhood, and we don’t want anything like that coming into our neighborhood,” said Pastor Jordan Gray, who has lived in South Park since 1979. “If it’s not positive for our neighborhood, we don’t want it.”

Community members express serious concerns about the potential environmental impact in their residential area. Residents worry about soil contamination from vehicle fluids, increased truck traffic, noise pollution, and potentially harmful fumes.

“We didn’t know what the hours would be and the trucks coming in and out of the neighborhood,” Gray explained. “We don’t want to put up with all that noise and certain kinds of fumes that would be coming from places like that.”,

Rather than opposing all development, South Park residents advocate for businesses that would benefit their community. Many point to the area’s status as a food desert, suggesting the site would better serve residents as a grocery store – a service the location once provided, according to one resident.

The controversy has caught the attention of city officials, who attended a community meeting last Friday to address concerns.

District D Councilwoman Carolyn Evans-Shabazz confirmed discussions are underway with the property owner to find an alternative solution.

“There was discussion about whether it’s industrialized or whether it is retail,” the council representative stated. “But there are some concerns above and beyond that – there may be noise, big trucks coming in, the damage that will be to the roads themselves."

City officials expect to announce more details about negotiations with the property owner within a week. The council representative hinted at potential alternative developments being considered, though specific information remains private.

The property owner, who attended Friday’s community meeting, told KPRC 2 he was working with officials to find a resolution that satisfies both business interests and community needs. He added that he would take care of the overgrown grass.


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