Benbrook Open Forum Turns to Growth.

What should Benbrook focus on most as the city grows?

That is the latest question being put directly to residents through an ongoing Benbrook Open Forum hosted by City Council candidates Greg Clem, running for Place 4, and Whitney Hughes, running for Place 6. Both seats are among those on the ballot in Benbrook’s Nov. 3 municipal election.

This round asks residents what concerns them most about future development, and the responses already touch on several familiar Benbrook conversations.

Grocery stores came up quickly, with residents naming H-E-B, Tom Thumb and Albertsons among stores they would like to see. Others pointed to Benbrook’s limited undeveloped land and questioned whether enough suitable property remains for larger projects.

Growth itself brought stronger opinions. Residents called for more green space, infrastructure that keeps pace with development, and fewer apartments. Others raised concerns about traffic, code enforcement, development waivers and whether existing city ordinances are keeping up with changes around town.

Roads and traffic signals south of Benbrook also came up, although one resident noted that some of those concerns involve TxDOT rather than the city.

The forum is part of an effort to get residents talking about the issues they want addressed as Benbrook continues to change. Anyone who wants to add a thought can join the Open Forum conversation.

Sometimes the most useful community conversations begin with a simple question. This one gives Benbrook residents room to answer in their own words.