City poises itself for strategic, stable growth

The City of Magnolia has entered the initial phase of a process to create a new comprehensive plan for the next 15–20 years. The plan, which will take roughly 12 months to complete, will replace the existing one that was implemented in 1999.

"The [existing] plan didn't really direct the community in what it needed to do as far as economic viability and tapping into the growth that was happening," Magnolia's economic development coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said.

Miller pointed to transportation projects like the widening of FM 1488 and the development of the Grand Parkway, along with the incoming ExxonMobil campus, as unmistakable evidence of the city's need to update its plan. The ExxonMobil campus in Spring will bring more than 8,000 employees into the area.

"This comprehensive plan will position us to take advantage of all the growth that everyone is projecting in the area," she said.

The plan will create goals for the city for every aspect of its development, as well as means by which they can be reached. It will address land use, growth management, transportation, housing, neighborhoods and parks.

First steps

The city began working with the community planning consulting firm Kendig Keast Collaborative at the end of March to set the blueprint for the next year.

Step one involves setting up a steering committee to oversee the development of the plan. The committee will be comprised of members of City Council, 4A Economic Development and 4B Community Development committees and the planning commission. Kendig Keast Collaborative will be working with the committee on the technical aspects of producing the plan, according to firm president Bret Keast.

"Our job is to help lay out a plan so the city is developed in accordance with its vision," Keast said. "We'll do our own professional analysis of what we view are the community issues to be addressed and submit our recommendations to the steering committee for review."

Keast said his vision for the city will be shaped in part by its current projects, including annexation, working with the 249 Partnership on getting Hwy. 249 developed and bringing in more businesses and developments like the Walgreens set to open on 10th Street and FM 1488.

"These are the first signs of what's to come," he said. "We want the city to plan for development rather than react to it."

The second phase of creating the new plan involves a series of listening sessions planned for the next few months. Focus groups representing different interests will meet with Keast and his team to provide input.

Business owners in Magnolia, like Todd Anderson at The Montgomery County Grille on Commerce Street, are glad to see the city make a concerted effort to grow in a strategic and mindful way. Anderson said he would like to see part of the comprehensive plan focus on promoting the Stroll and thinks business owners should be involved with the planning process.

"There doesn't tend to be a whole lot of activities to draw people to the Stroll," he said. "I think if more businesses along the Stroll help plan and brainstorm, it will be to the benefit of all."

Following the listening sessions, Keast said he will begin doing the technical work of finding out what needs to be done for the city to accomplish its goals. Beginning in 2013, the city will hold public meetings on the plan.

Planning for growth

The plan comes at a time of notable change in Magnolia and the areas surrounding it, according to Miller. Since the 1999 comprehensive plan was written, the number of businesses within city limits has increased from 54 to 193, with two hotels moving into the area as well.

Overall population within the city has not increased significantly, she said, but the surrounding area has grown tremendously. Enrollment within the Magnolia ISD has gone from 6,500 in 1999 to more than 12,000 today.

But all the changes in the past 12 years will not compare to those coming in the next 12, Miller said.

"Everything's been kind of below the surface so far," she said. "In the next 12 years we're going to be expanding the city limits itself and increasing the population size as well as raising the bar on business."

City of Edinburg's master plan

In 2004, consulting firm Kendig Keast, under the leadership of owner Bret Keast helped the City of Edinburg devise a comprehensive plan that focused on land use, transportation, economic development and utilities.

"We've been using the plan effectively for the growth of our city," said Juan Lopez, director of planning and zoning. "I go back and look for things I can implement based on recommendations they made for us."

Whether or not the comprehensive plan is a success will depend on how engaged the community is through the process, he said.

"You're going to get as much out of the planning process as you put into it," he said.