Angry homeowners in Dell Oaks and Auburn Ridge subdivisions, within blocks of UTSA’s south entrance, have been fighting to prevent developers from building a new student housing complex at 6676 UTSA Blvd., next to The Outpost. 

Homeowners’ concerns include the inadequate barrier between the apartments and the houses, as well as the noise and the potential increase in crime.

Place Properties negotiated the purchase of the land from The Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. Developers proposed building a four-story apartment complex with over 200 two-bedroom units and 400 parking spaces by fall 2010. They currently own Hill County Place and High View Place.

Place Properties is an Atlanta-based development company who has built student housing complexes in 15 states, and has provided housing for universities such as Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin. 

Residential homeowners, however, were outraged when they realized the large-scale complex would encroach onto the land between Dell Oaks and Auburn Ridge.
“The residents happily supported the church’s acquisition of the land in 2002, when they claimed it would be used to build a sanctuary or retreat,” Ross Davis, Dell Oaks resident, said. “Not an apartment complex.” 

UTSA associate professor of music Eugene Dowdy, occupies the position of Bishop’s Warden and spokesperson for the church. He stated that the property had always belonged to the church but was at one point sold during a period of financial hardship and later repurchased as an asset.

According to Davis, the church will potentially earn $3 million from the sale. Dowdy, however, could not confirm this amount.

“I understand the residents’ anger, but our founding fathers designed the property for this purpose. It has always been zoned for multi-family use, and UTSA desperately needs student housing,” Dowdy said.

But neighboring residents argue that additional student housing will overpopulate the area and generate more noise and crime in an already traumatized neighborhood.

In March 2009, Outpost resident, Jason Christopher Miears was arrested for murder and suspected of being responsible for several burglaries and a bank robbery in the area.
Miears gunned down tow truck driver Jose Fernandez, when he spotted him checking cars for parking permits. Fernandez later died at University Hospital.

“I have young kids and I’m worried about their safety,” Dell Oaks resident Sherry Malone said. “Some of my neighbors have complained about the problems that spill over from The Outpost.”

According to blue prints, the complex will be built in an area that extends from UTSA Blvd. back to Lendell Drive.  The southernmost portion of the complex (toward Lendell Drive) will sit directly in between Dell Oaks and Auburn Ridge.

Dell Oaks residents do not understand why the city of San Antonio allowed developers to build multi-family units so close to single family homes.

David Shelton, Auburn Ridge resident and owner of the Cantina bar on UTSA Boulevard knew more student housing was soon to come.

“I have lived in this area for over ten years and realized there would be expansion of student housing. Apartments are inevitable,” Shelton said.

Despite the acceptance of a few residents, homeowners like Davis refuse to back down. He constructed a Web site (savedelloak.com) to inform the public about the project and got involved with city council to propose that the encroaching portion of the apartment complex be rezoned for single-family living.

City council postponed the hearing twice and as of the writing of this article had not reached a decision. Local District 8 city council member Reed Williams declined to comment on the hearing’s progress.

“Just three weeks ago developers came to an agreement with the Dell Oaks home owners association and made all the necessary concessions to continue with the housing. We thought everyone was satisfied,” Dowdy said. “Then other residents started demanding more changes and disagreeing with the changes already made, so the developers had to start all over again.”

Some of the residents’ complaints include the clear cutting of mature heritage oak trees, the lack of green space, and appropriate fencing.  Place Properties’ current design includes a 6-foot wooden fence, which residents believe would be completely ineffective.
As of Sept. 3, Dowdy stated that Place Properties and Dell Oaks homeowners association have signed an agreement that satisfies both parties, and it is almost certain the sale will go through.

“UTSA students should be aware that the developers are willing to pay the city of San Antonio $300,000 in fines to destroy hundreds of 100-year old trees,” Davis said. “The future tenants of those apartments will one day monetarily repay to demolish a forest of trees.”

Dowdy believes the new housing will benefit everyone.

“Our congregation has worshipped in portable buildings for over 30 years. This sale will give us the ability to build a new church and ensure the future of our congregation. This sale will not only benefit the church but the UTSA community as well,” Dowdy said.