This podcast contains comments from the August 13, 2024 Bryan city council meeting.

A majority of Bryan city council members express no opposition to rezoning land north of the Premiere movie complex to build 150 luxury apartments.

But final action was delayed.

That followed more than one hour of discussion involving council members, the landowner, and opponents who included neighboring homeowners and the presidents of the Austin's Colony and Greenbriar homeowners associations.

The opponents favored keeping current zoning for retail development.

The landowner, Wayne Courreges III, said he wants to buy additional land surrounding his proposed apartment complex to develop what he calls "top retail".

Courreges said he preferred building three story apartment buildings containing one and two bedroom units versus a four story hotel, which he is allowed to do with current zoning.

Councilman James Edge said he was "intrigued" about building a hotel.

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez, who supported the apartments, said that would have less impact on the homeowners than the hotel or other structures allowed under current zoning.

The council unanimously approved Jared Salvato's motion to delay action one month. 

Salvato wanted to give the landowner and city staff time to study how to minimize safety risks associated with extending Sam Rayburn Drive to Austin's Colony Parkway. That intersection is near what is described as a blind curve on Austin's Colony Parkway. The intersection is also close to three Bryan ISD schools.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from landowner Wayne Courreges III.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the city of Bryan.