GROVES — A local developer is looking to add a new subdivision with 19 homes in Groves.

Jeff Akhtar has got the green light from city council for a small subdivision to be built on property where he had last year planned to expand Axis Manor Apartments.

Groves City Manager D. Sosa said city council approved an amendment to an ordinance allowing for the subdivision of single-family homes. The property, at 25^th Street and Maple Avenue, was previously slated for multi-family homes.

The new construction will be a Class B subdivision with a flexible base road and open ditches, but Akhtar may opt for building a Class A subdivision with concrete streets and underground drainage.

Sosa said the next step is for the developer to go back to the city’s planning and zoning commission with a preliminary plat for approval, then back to council.

“This will be good for first-time homebuyers,” Sosa said.

Akhtar plans to build 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom homes on the property.

Last year Akhtar failed in his attempt to get approval to add 108 upscale units at Axis Manor Apartment.

A call to Akhtar was not returned as of Thursday afternoon.

Groves has seen a surge in new homes in the past few years. The K.L. Butler Addition on Bryan Hebert Lane off Joplin Avenue had room enough for 14 lots and is near capacity as is the Erica Lynn Addition on Debbie Avenue.

There is also Heritage Point along Terrace Avenue near Cleveland Avenue and Texas 73. The subdivision consists of about 23 lots and as of May, seven new homes have been built there. Activity will soon begin at another new subdivision, Indian Springs at the site of the former Port Groves Golf Club, or Pea Patch. The gated community will hold about 140 new homes.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews