Bedford is a commuter suburb that is known as a safe, family-friendly place to live. Property values tend to be solid and the location between Dallas and Fort Worth is always in demand. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, residents of the suburb are hopping mad about a mixed-use development that includes plans for 650 upscale apartments in a residential neighborhood. 

A local group called Citizens Against More Apartments in Bedford is leading the opposition to the Bedford Commons development by Realty Capital. The proposed development would be at Airport Freeway, Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford Road, and Parkwood Drive. 

Courtesy of Bedford Commons

More than 200 people showed up to a recent City Council meeting to register their opposition to the development. According to the opponents of the mixed-use venture, apartment dwellers tend to be transient residents with little investment in the city. Opponents also claim the city does not enforce safety and health violations at other apartment complexes in the city. 

More than 47 percent of Bedford residents live in apartments, according to the report. However, the vast majority of those apartment complexes were built over 30 years ago. 

For its side, Realty Capital states their mixed-use facility will be substantially different than other apartment complexes in the city. Their estimated rental cost per square foot would be $1.50, significantly more than the city average of 93 cents per square foot for apartments, according to the report. They hope to attract the type of apartment dwellers to the city who would bring with them the demand for more upscale retail and restaurants. 

At 1 a.m. after hours of debate, the council voted 5-2 against zoning changes the developer proposed. The “no” vote on the zoning changes does not mean the project is completely dead, however. Realty Capital officials vow to find a way for their development to be built, though it is not likely to be at their originally desired site.