Forney City Council Denies New Homes Amidst Rising Crime and Investor-Owned Rentals

Gateway Park Neighborhood Concerns

• 🏘️ Residents in the Gateway Park subdivision are experiencing a rise in crime and believe it is linked to an increasing number of investor-owned rental homes.
• ⚠️ Calls for service in the area have reportedly increased, with incidents ranging from routine check-ins to more serious issues.

City Council's Decision on Development

• 🚫 The Forney City Council has denied a request from developer Ashton Woods to build an additional phase of homes in the subdivision.
• ⚖️ Mayor Jason Robertson stated the decision was made to deny the proposal until assurances can be made regarding resident safety.
• 🚨 A recent incident involved the arrest of three individuals following a traffic stop and foot chase in the neighborhood.

Developer's Response and Future Outlook

• 💬 Ashton Woods has stated they are working with the city and homeowners to address public statements, emphasizing their operation under equal housing opportunity and fair housing law.
• 🤝 The mayor expressed hope for parties to find common ground, but stressed that safety will not be compromised.
• 🚧 The city is drawing a line, making it difficult to rent houses until crime is better understood and controlled.