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NEW CANEY — From the eye of a growing political hurricane, the developer of a massive residential community near Houston rejected allegations by conservative media and state elected officials that the development is a “magnet for illegal immigrants” whose streets are overrun by crime.
“It’s complete nonsense,” declared Trey Harris, who alongside his brother John and cousin Kevin, possesses the development, speaking on Tuesday from their business headquarters in Liberty County.
Harris recently addressed the allegations surrounding the development, which have gained traction in right-wing media and led to calls for action from Republican leaders. He firmly denied the accusations that the project is violating laws and utilizing targeted Spanish-language marketing to attract undocumented individuals.
Critics of the developer’s advertising have focused on ads that tell potential buyers they don’t need a Social Security number to buy land in the community. There is no state or federal law against selling land to people who aren’t citizens.
According to Harris, the company is assisting individuals, particularly those of Latino descent, in purchasing real estate. He supported their marketing strategies, emphasizing their focus on the Houston region as the majority of their clients reside there. Dismissing claims of the developer engaging in extensive advertising in Mexico, South America, and Central America, Harris stated that such reports are untrue.
Harris acknowledged, “I am aware that there are individuals who criticize me. However, in my perspective, their actions hold little importance when compared to the overwhelming love I receive from my customers. The affection I receive from my customers holds far greater significance, exerting a much stronger impact on my mental and emotional well-being than the negative voices.”
State GOP leaders seem intent on investigating the development. Gov. Greg Abbott said issues pertaining to Colony Ridge will be addressed in an upcoming special legislative session, though he has not yet specified what he would ask lawmakers to do.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has said his office also is looking into Colony Ridge, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick toured the development by air Monday before saying the area needs more law enforcement. Following the tour, Patrick and Harris spoke for more than an hour.
Harris invited lawmakers, and state officials including Abbott, to tour the development Thursday and said 15 to 20 had accepted the invitation. Abbott — whose campaigns have received $1.4 million in donations from Harris since 2018 — was not among them. An Abbott spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The criticism surrounding the development situated approximately 30 miles north of Houston may seem recent on a national scale, but it has been a familiar presence for us. Since the inception of this project, we have consistently faced opposition,” Harris stated, gesturing towards maps of Liberty and Montgomery counties adorning the wall behind him. “While I cannot predict the future, if the criticism persists, I am more than willing to travel to Austin and engage in discussions with anyone interested.”
According to Harris, Colony Ridge consists of multiple subdivisions spanning approximately 33,000 acres, providing residence to around 40,000 individuals.
As you drive through a portion of it, located near U.S. 59 and Texas 99, you will come across a diverse range of housing options. The landscape showcases a combination of contemporary, multi-story houses alongside mobile homes. Continuing eastward, you will encounter the initial residential area developed by the company in Liberty County, called Montebello. Here, paved roads are lined with newer homes, while dirt roads lead to sections that are still undergoing construction. The presence of signs promotes houses for sale by Terrenos Houston, the marketing and sales division of Colony Ridge, as well as other companies.
According to Harris, the presence of mobile homes in need of repair and trash scattered across lawns is a common sight in rural Texas developments. However, he emphasizes that these observations should not be used as a basis for judging the residents.
According to Harris, his clientele consists of different groups. Firstly, there are builders who purchase lots to construct homes and then sell them. Secondly, there are individuals who have sufficient funds to buy a lot and build a typical suburban brick home. Lastly, there are those who purchase land and build when they are financially able to do so.
According to Harris, the land they offer for sale, which he humorously refers to as “dirt,” includes essential utilities such as water and sewer lines, paved roads, and stormwater drainage. Additionally, he mentioned that the company provides financing options for purchasing the land, usually through a 20-year note with an interest rate of 12.9%.
According to Harris, development commenced in the Montebello area in 2011, with the first residents settling in by 2013. Fast forward ten years, and the neighborhood now boasts several brick and mortar storefronts, as well as individuals offering vegetables, fruits, and fresh juice from makeshift canopies by the roadside.
A. Carrasco, aged 52, shared that he and his family previously operated a roadside stand in Colony Ridge, where they sold produce and various goods. After saving up sufficient funds, they managed to purchase a plot of land within the community. In March, Carrasco inaugurated a new store located near Montebello, situated at a bustling intersection. The store specializes in selling a wide variety of produce, ranging from chilled coconuts to vegetables and cheeses. The majority of their offerings are imported from Mexico.
Carrasco, who preferred not to disclose his full name, stated that he has been keeping up with the latest news regarding the development and attributed it to the approaching election season. According to him, societal issues such as crime are common in any growing community that has not yet reached its full development stage.
“Being here is amazing, from the delightful weather to the pleasant environment and ample space,” he exclaimed, standing behind the counter of his store, where baskets overflowed with avocados and candied fruits. “It’s important to note that undocumented individuals can be found everywhere, not just in this place. Blaming them for causing violence is misguided, as violence exists in various places as well.”
After experiencing the theft of two of his cars within a span of two weeks, Sergio Placencia Rojas, a construction worker aged 56, decided to leave his apartment in Houston and relocate to the development area three years ago. The constant criminal activities in his previous neighborhood had left him frustrated. It was during this time that he came across a radio advertisement for Terrenos Houston, prompting him to make the decision to purchase a house in the new location.
According to him, he claimed to have been free from any crime-related issues. Despite other residents’ complaints about gunfire, he personally stated that he had never heard any such incidents near his residence. However, he has recently observed an increased presence of police patrols in his neighborhood.
He commented on the serene atmosphere, expressing his fondness for it. He mentioned that they haven’t encountered any difficulties, to the extent that they can leave their cars unlocked without any incidents occurring. He humorously added that the only wrongdoing in this place seems to be the high taxes.
Still, Colony Ridge has attracted steady criticism over the years from neighbors, who alleged in a lawsuit that Colony Ridge’s development had led to flooding in nearby Plum Grove in areas that did not previously flood. The city and the development each recently won summary judgments in the long-running suit. A state district judge agreed that Colony Ridge was not to blame for the flooding and agreed with the city that it had been promised 2.6 acres as part of a development agreement, according to Bluebonnet News.
A 2017 Houston Chronicle report documented rising tensions between newcomers and people who had long lived in the area who complained about the new development straining public services.
In recent times, state elected officials and a recognized immigration think tank, labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, have presented a depiction of a community marred by cartel violence, with streets stained by blood.
According to Harris, he cannot provide an absolute assurance that there is no involvement of cartels or drug activity, but he is skeptical about the portrayal given by critics.
He said that there could possibly be someone living here who either had or currently has a connection with the cartel, among the 40,000 residents. However, he admitted to having no way of confirming this. He also expressed his belief that there is no higher level of cartel activity in his neighborhood compared to any other neighborhood.
Harris responded to allegations of a surge in crime in the vicinity by stating that Colony Ridge was unjustly accused of violence that did not occur within the community. He highlighted that the development funds twelve full-time law enforcement officers for patrolling purposes. Additionally, Harris acknowledged the recent presence of state troopers, expressing his appreciation for their arrival.
He stated, “They attribute a crime that occurred [in Colony Ridge], which is nowhere close to my neighborhood. However, crimes are a common occurrence.”
During an interview with a conservative radio show, Sheriff Bobby Rader of Liberty County revealed that the homeowners association employs 10 deputies to patrol the area. However, despite their efforts, they have faced difficulties in addressing numerous issues such as thefts, drug overdoses, juvenile runaways, and stray animals. Sheriff Rader acknowledged the existence of a significant number of gang members in the region, but emphasized that this is a problem prevalent across Liberty County. He also noted that the concentration of gangs is higher in the mentioned subdivision due to its larger population.
Rader refuted Abbott and other concerns about the area being labeled a “no-go zone,” asserting that it is not an area where police refrain from entering due to safety risks.
It remains uncertain if lawmakers will investigate any of the previous concerns that were raised before the recent allegations labeling Colony Ridge as a sanctuary for undocumented individuals.
Harris said he was not sure if his development will be included on the special session’s call, but that he was working on gathering facts that refute the allegations to send to lawmakers.
He remarked that if they were to witness that, the entire situation might simply disappear.
He expressed his belief that Abbott is a “good person” who erred by not acquiring information before discussing the development openly.
He expressed his belief that once the truth about the situation is revealed, he anticipates the person in question realizing their error. He is interested in observing their response upon discovering their embarrassing blunder.
Robert Downen contributed to this story.