Conroe is considering bringing back its planning commission to add an extra set of eyes before certain development proposals seek final approval with the City Council, which held initial discussions over the idea on Oct. 8.
How we got here
Conroe had a planning commission that the City Council in a narrow vote voted to dissolve in July 2025.
Council discussed not giving the planning commission final authority over approving variances and instead just making recommendations to the city for final approval.
What they’re saying
Council member Shana Arthur, who brought forth the proposal, said she doesn’t want a reintroduced planning commission “that simply meets for 15 minutes and rubber stamps a development.” Arthur stressed that the body would help Conroe "prepare for the consequences of development.”
“I want knowledgeable, engaged commissioners who look at the bigger picture ... and especially the cumulative impact of growth on infrastructure,” Arthur said.
Arthur suggested that city staff would train commissioners to understand Conroe’s ordinances surrounding development.
Mayor Pro Tem John Sellars said he likes the idea of the planning commission giving the public an opportunity to have an idea of what’s in the pipeline regarding plat proposals.
The details
The planning commission would have seven members who would no longer be paid.
Arthur said she envisions final approval of variances would still be up to the City Council and that council members along with the mayor could nominate members.
Brandy Taylor, Conroe's newly renamed director of municipal development, suggested that the council should bar commissioner applications from anyone with an active development in the city due to past conflicts of interest.
Council members did not specify when they might vote to reinstate the planning commission.
What else?
The City Council on Thursday also approved repealing a resolution that called for the city's support of creating a multi-purpose entertainment venue on 42 acres at Deison Technology Park. The idea was to create a destination akin to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion or Discovery Green in Houston.
Mayor Duke Coon said the repeal was to open up the park for a potential U.S. Space Academy that Conroe is vying for.
