Residents Voice Opinion about Blue Ridge Apartments
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: December 15, 2010
Some residents living north of Caldera Boulevard in Midland are fed up with a new apartment complex that's going up near their homes.
And tonight, they took those frustrations down to city hall.
The motto of the night was "we are angry, you should be to."
The "you" they were referring to is city council, who residents say are partly to blame for the apartments going up in the first place.
Developer Ken Lokey was there keeping quiet while residents let him know how unhappy they were about his luxury apartment complex.
And that fact that the developement layout has changed since the original site plan.
Residents of Caldera boulevard let city council know exactly how they felt.
"We are angry," said a Resident.
Tonight the Trammels and other reisdents whose backyards new view is of what they call the monstrosity, were able to voice their opinions and face the man behind their so-called nightmare.
"He is not a popular fella tonight, I do admire you for being here, I don't agree with ya," said Ronnie Trammell.
Residents are angry about what they consider to be an invasion of their privacy.
The developer has said he will plant tall trees and put in opaque windows to keep people in the apartments from looking down into backyards.
But residents say it isn't enough.
Councilman Michael Trost feels lokey acted like he was above authority.
"Did not know the rules and regulations, did you not ask have you done everything neccesary to make sure this was done correctly, did your company not think to ask that?," said Councilman, Michael Trost.
Residents say that because of Lokeys disregard for authority, no one will look at their homes
"I am the person who cannot sell my house, I am the person who cannot rent my house," said a Resident.
As for Mr. Lokey, he remained still in his seat as residents spoke. he told the city council that blame shouldn't be placed entirely on him. Lokey says he didn't deceive anyone.
"I think it was a series of honest mistakes," said Ken Lokey.
Residents have contacted an attorney about filing a class action law suit.
But, what they ultimately want is to have the apartments demolished.
They feel too much has been lost and thats the only option.


