Sugar Land's Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 8 that will center on the largest plot of undeveloped land in the city.

The plot consists of a field at the corner of US 59 and University Boulevard. Newland Communities has proposed a mixed-use development that will include offices, retail and 900 apartment units. Residents from surrounding neighborhoods are concerned about apartment development in the area and started a petition that attracted over 1,000 signatures, the Houston Chronicle reports. Overall, residents are concerned that further urbanization will impact the suburban feel of the area.

The City Council directed the commission to consider changes to the Sugar Land development code after receiving the petition, which could impact the number of multifamily units allowed in planned development districts. The proposed development from Newland would surely have a long list of potential tenants, bolstered by the impending move of Schlumberger’s HQ to Sugar Land. [HC]