The city’s current population of about 3500 which is spread out over 2.2 square miles will dramatically increase over the next few years as new, multi-family housing developments are completed. Most recently, Modera at Six Pines opened last September, offering 429 upscale apartments for rent in buildings ranging from five to eight floors. The complex is located south of Research Forest, and although it is only 20% leased, management expects full occupancy within the next 18 months. Shenandoah has approved two additional apartment complexes located near David Memorial Drive — Woodlofts and Metro Park. It is anticipated that together they will add nearly 675 apartment homes to the city. However, the estimated completion date is unknown because building plans have not been submitted for either project and no permits have been issued, according to Jackie Thompson, director of community development.
In nearly 50 years since the tiny community of 500 families voted to incorporate, Shenandoah’s population has steadily climbed, although at a slower pace. For the first two and half decades, the only dwellings in the city were single family homes. That changed in 2000, when city officials approved plans for the city’s first apartment complex. In the past 23 years, the number of existing apartment homes now exceeds 1000, in contrast to the approximate platted 1,260 single family dwellings.
Former mayor Wheeler pointed to the potential benefit of having a larger population during an interview published by the Chronicle on July 20, 2018. “In the State of Texas, under 5,000 population falls into general law — what that means is that the state gives you the blueprint for how your city is run, with a little wiggle room. Once you go over 5,000, you go into home rule, where you can develop your own charter and have a little more flexibility. We’re not trying to get to 5,000 people just so we can do that, but if we get to 5,000, then that’s on the table.”
Last April, while running for mayor, John Escoto acknowledged that since “we can’t grow out anymore, we have to grow up.” However, a growing population also means more traffic. During the Modera public hearing on February 27, 2019, it was noted that the new apartments would bring an additional 500-700 cars to the area. Both councilman McLeod and former mayor Wes Stephens expressed concerns about the impact to intersections near the apartments and neighboring LifeTime Fitness. Stephens said, “on any given day that’s a lot of extra pressure on those intersections that are already getting a lot of media attention … it’s just one of those things that I think we need to put a little emphasis on and determine the solution before it’s problem.”
Following Stephens’ comments, council further questioned Modera representatives specifically about increased traffic. Colby Wright of Jones Carter Engineering summarized the traffic impact study this way: “the proposed development would not have an adverse impact to the existing capacity of the intersections today with the one recommendation for a southbound left turn lane.” At present, it is not known whether the recommended additional lane is under consideration.
