City Council Votes Against New Gateway Development
Residents of Gateway Parks filled the council chambers to voice their escalating concerns regarding the future of their community and the influence of the developer, Ashton Woods, which continues to maintain control over the Homeowners Association (HOA) board through its own employees.
One resident addressed the council, stating, “In Gateway Parks—six blocks are Starlight Homes, a sister company of Ashton Woods, listed as quality homes. Over the past six months, six blocks in Gateway have had more crime calls than any neighborhood in the city.”
Another emotional speaker shared his experience as a first-time homebuyer, revealing he had invested everything he had into his property. He expressed feelings of being misled by his realtor regarding neighborhood conditions, highlighting incidents of open drug dealing near his home. He lamented that shootings have become a regular occurrence, leaving his family fearful and disappointed in what was meant to be a stable, master-planned community.
Residents also referenced crime data confirmed by Forney Police Chief White, which indicated a troubling concentration of crime on streets developed by Ashton Woods. These statistics are publicly accessible on the department’s Citizen Connect website.
A significant concern raised was the issue of rental saturation and the prevalence of multi-family rentals in single-family homes. Of the 302 rental properties identified in Gateway Parks, residents noted that many are concentrated in the newer phases developed by Ashton Woods, rather than in the earlier phases of the subdivision. Some of these homes are reportedly being advertised online as Section 8 rentals, although the city has not independently verified these listings.
Furthermore, residents pointed out that a considerable number of rental properties on Ashton Woods–developed streets are out of compliance with Forney’s rental registration program, adding strain to police, code enforcement, and city staff.
Master-Planned Vision Has Shifted Since 2022–2023
Longtime residents argued that Gateway Parks has deviated significantly from the master-planned vision that was marketed in 2015. Speakers claimed that around 2022–2023, when Ashton Woods acquired the remaining lots, development began to heavily favor investor-driven and rental-oriented construction.
They asserted that this shift has adversely affected public safety, property values, and overall quality of life in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Watch Denied by HOA; Police Say Approval Not Required
Residents reported a surge in crime in the area, noting that the developer-controlled HOA has refused to authorize a Neighborhood Watch program.
Chief White informed the council that HOA approval is not required to form a Crime Watch group and encouraged residents to coordinate directly with the Forney Police Department.
