ELLIS ? A city councilman up for re-election in Ellis on Tuesday is circulating a petition to prevent Habitat for Humanity from building a home in his neighborhood.

Ron Johnson said the proposed house, which would be built across the street from his own, would cause property values to fall and would not fit in with the upscale nature of the neighborhood.

“We’re disagreeing with where they’re building it,” said Johnson, who plans to present the petition to Habitat for Humanity.

Johnson said other homes in the neighborhood have two-car garages, but the proposed house will have a one-car garage. However, two other homes on the next block also have one-car garages, The Hays Daily News reported.

Johnson also said there are restrictions on building in South Ridge Development, where he lives.

But Mike Downing, a partner in the development, said, “There are no covenants that would restrict the building of a Habitat for Humanity house” in the neighborhood.

“Where they’re building, that is not in our development anyway,” Downing said. “It’s across the street.”

Jennie Straight, vice president of Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County, said she has spoken with Johnson about his complaints and offered to meet with neighborhood residents.

“I asked for the names of the neighbors and said that I would like to set up a meeting with them,” Straight said.

“And he said no, that he would talk to them and get back to me.”

The president of Habitat for Humanity for Ellis County, Bill Ring, said the house will be at least 1,100 square feet and include a basement for inclement weather.

Ring said he doesn’t have all the facts but would like to see Johnson and other concerned neighbors meet with Habitat for Humanity officials to find an amicable solution.