Residents in southeast Tyler are breathing easier after the developer of a proposed multifamily apartment complex withdrew a zoning change application.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the Tyler City Council was anticipated to hear two sides of an application to change the zoning to allow for a 208-unit apartment complex near the intersection or Roy Road and Rhones Quarter Road. The Planning and Zoning board approved the measure in early February.

Bob Breedlove with the Brannon Corporation, a firm helping the developer through the zone change process, confirmed the zoning request was withdrawn and the project put on hold. He did not comment on why the developer had a change of heart.

Residents in the nearby Guinn Farms subdivision and others were in opposition to the new complex. They formed an advocacy group and gathered over 200 signatures on a petition.

“That’s very exciting for us, and our residents will be very happy,” said Lee Trammell, Guinn Farms Resident. “Hopefully they have reconsidered and are considering staying with the plan that is laid out (to build single-family homes on the 13.8-acre property). “Our residents bought into (that) plan that was approved by the council we were going to address. We wanted them to honor the plan they laid out that was communicated to us as residents.”

Dustin Glover, a 32-year-old new father, said his family closed on his lot two weeks ago. His loan was approved by the bank and a builder was on standby when he found out about the development plans. 

“None of this was brought to our attention when we were purchasing that lot,” he said.

The primary concern, according to residents, was increased traffic on Roy and Rhones Quarter roads.

Residents said the development was initially voted down by planning and zoning because it had its entrances and exits on Roy Road, which the board believed could not handle the added traffic.

Residents said there are also worries about increased crime and decreasing property values.

“It’s not all about the money side,” Trammell said. “We bought our homes, and we want to stay there a long time. I have a 5-month-old son and I plan to raise my son there.”