The gist
In certain areas of the city, water is inadequate and insufficient to support new development while safely providing water to current residents and commercial users, according to the city’s presentation.
“Unfortunately, development has caught us, and we do need to pump the brakes and take a breath for a minute,” council member Howard Wood said during the Aug. 21 workshop.
The city is not running out of water, but implementing the moratorium would prevent a water shortage and the reduction of water pressure, according to the city’s presentation.
“I would not even want it on the agenda if it wasn’t serious,” City Administrator Gary Scott said during the Aug. 21 workshop. “I've been saying it for a while, I think it's necessary. I think that one thing that the citizens expect is for their toilets to flush and to turn the water on is fundamental. It's what we should be doing as the city. So I think this is necessary so we can move into the future better prepared.”
The moratorium would affect a portion of northern Conroe, with the exception of Panorama Village, the April Sound subdivision and the Montgomery County Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) No. 3 and No. 4.
Also of note
City staff mentioned the potential of fines to those not following the moratorium.
The city will also not accept or approve permits needed for new development during the moratorium, and staff mentioned residents will only be affected through irrigation restrictions, according to the city’s presentation.
What they’re saying
- “The fact we're taking a moratorium now is something for future growth, because we do need to get our infrastructure right,” council member Marsha Porter said during the Aug. 21 workshop. “We have a plan for four water wells. ... And I think all five of us are for getting over this moratorium as quickly as possible. We've been very fortunate that we would have a very wet summer. Otherwise we would be boiling water now.”
- “None of us take this lightly. ... Growth is the life blood of every city, but it has to be strategic and more importantly, it has to be sustainable,” mayor pro tem Harry Hardman said during the Aug. 21 workshop. “Our growth has been unsustainable to now, and we have to take these measures in order to provide people who already made the investment here the opportunity to manage those investments and enjoy what should be a no-brainer, which is safe water and sewer systems.”
According to the ordinance, it must be read twice before passed and approved. The next workshop meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11 at Conroe City Hall, 300 W. Davis St., Conroe.
View the temporary development moratorium ordinance below.
