Development in The Woodlands has been occurring closer to residential areas, causing more resident complaints.[/caption]
Township to form new community concerns committee
What we reported: Throughout the course of 2016, residents of The Woodlands came to the township board of directors for help with concerns related to construction projects close to residential areas.
The latest: In December, The Woodlands Township board of directors approved a resolution in support of resident concerns regarding a townhome development in East Shore. The board also heard an update regarding the St. Anthony of Padua church expansion and what the next steps are for reforestation.What’s next: The township’s board of directors plans to start a new community concerns task force committee in January. The committee will be headed up by township Director Bruce Rieser and will attempt to mediate between residents and developers, municipal utility districts and organizations involved with the projects.
Although there is no set timeline for incorporation, The Woodlands will continue researching the topic in 2017.[/caption]
Township to discuss incorporation in 2017
What we reported: In September, The Woodlands Township board of directors voted to adopt the fiscal year 2016-17 budget after reallocating $2.5 million, which was set aside for the possibility of incorporation during the township’s budget workshop in mid-August. However, the board voted 4-3 to remove the reserve before finally approving the budget.
The latest: In November, the township board voted to reinstate the $2.5 million reserve for incorporation. Additionally, the directors discussed the possibility of commissioning an updated study on incorporation in 2017 to have up-to-date information before moving forward with additional planning initiatives.
What’s next: The township board will have an incorporation-focused workshop meeting in February, allowing directors to lay out questions and concerns regarding information already disseminated on the topic. The township will also spend time during the state legislative session that began Jan. 10 to determine improvements to its enabling legislation that may be necessary to move forward with incorporation. Residents of The Woodlands will have the final say on whether to incorporate if the board of directors votes to place a referendum on a future ballot. There is no timeline for such a vote.
An engineering study to determine possible improvements to Robinson Road commenced in 2016.[/caption]
Oak Ridge North to present engineering study results
What we reported: During an Aug. 1 Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, city officials and Robinson Road residents discussed the process of rezoning homes on the street from residential to commercial usage. Fifteen properties west of Blueberry Hill Drive on Robinson Road were listed on a residential petition requesting another zoning classification to allow for commercial uses. The request would allow the homes to be turned into businesses. Residents at the meeting made it clear they want the proposed zoning change to include the option of being able to sell their homes in the future as part of commercial zoning. Oak Ridge North resident Al Overstreet said homes would be hard to sell as part of residential zoning because of the proposed construction to alleviate traffic on Robinson Road.
The latest: At a special-called meeting Oct. 10, the Oak Ridge North City Council approved a preliminary engineering study on one of the Robinson Road solutions recommended by the Robinson Road subcommittee. The council chose to move forward with Option 3, which would result in the creation of four lanes on Robinson Road from I-45 to Oak Ridge Park Drive. Council Member Alex Jones said the subcommittee looked at several factors when considering the options and wanted a solution that would be long term, even if it is more expensive. The council agreed to move forward with the study on Option 3, find out costs for the project and then reconvene with RPS Klotz Associates and the Robinson Road subcommittee to go over the results.
What’s next: City Manager Vicky Rudy said the city of Oak Ridge North will hold a workshop in January to present the findings of the preliminary engineering study to council members and residents. The findings of the study will show the layout of the road and the effect the potential project would have on properties and traffic. Residents who signed the petition to have their homes rezoned from residential to commercial properties on Robinson Road are expected to have an answer from City Council members by February or March. Rudy said the Planning and Zoning Commission has met every month to work on a draft ordinance to present to the council. If it is approved, residents’ homes on Robinson Road will be rezoned.
The price of oil is expected to reach $54 a barrel by the end of 2017, according to industry experts.[/caption]
‘Slow recovery’ from oil and gas downturn begins
What we reported: In a September report, the Greater Houston Partnership announced jobs are still being lost in the oil and gas sector—300 jobs were lost in July. Meanwhile, the metropolitan area’s unemployment rate increased from 4.9 percent in August 2015 to 5.8 percent in August 2016, according to a Texas Workforce Commission news release issued in September.
The latest: GHP released its yearly employment forecast Dec. 9 after a panel discussion with business leaders from the banking, health care, energy and real estate industries. Occidental Petroleum Corporation President Joseph Elliott told the audience he believes oil prices will start at around $49 per barrel in 2017 and climb to about $54 per barrel by the end of the year. “2017 will see a slow increase in oil prices,” he said.
What’s next: According to GHP, Houston’s economic downturn is over and a slow recovery has begun. Job growth will not return to normal for another year or so, and GHP predicts a wide, flat growth curve. Recovery for the energy industry is not expected to occur until crude prices approach $60, and the recovery in manufacturing depends on a steady rise in the rig count.
The trial for county Judge Craig Doyal and commissioners Charlie Riley and Jim Clark will take place March 27.[/caption]
Montgomery County TOMA violation trial postponed
What we reported: Three members of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court were indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury on June 24 on Texas Open Meetings Act violation charges. County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark were indicted on charges related to negotiations regarding the county’s road bond election in November 2015. Political consultant Marc Davenport, who previously worked on campaigns for Doyal and Riley, was also indicted. Released on bond shortly after, Doyal was suspended without pay on June 28 by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The latest: Doyal was reinstated into office Aug. 2 following a hearing with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on July 26. The original court date of Aug. 2 was rescheduled to allow the defense time to obtain and review grand jury testimony.
What’s next: The trial date for the accused has been reset for March 27. If convicted, the officials could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both, according to the Office of the Attorney General’s website. Additionally, conviction could result in the officials losing their jobs.
The Woodlands Township approved the community’s first bike and pedestrian master plan in October.[/caption]
Projects from bike master plan to move forward
What we reported: After a year of development and gathering resident feedback, The Woodlands Township board of directors approved a communitywide bike and pedestrian master plan Oct. 27. The plan, which is the first of its kind for the township, evaluated the community’s existing walking, running and bicycling network, as well as the gaps and needs in the system, to identify project recommendations.
The latest: Township officials are waiting to receive the final hard copy of the bike and pedestrian master plan from Jones and Carter, the engineering firm that helped develop the project, said John Powers, assistant general manager for community services.
What’s next: Powers said drafting grant applications for bike and pedestrian master plan projects to the Houston-Galveston Area Council is on the agenda in the upcoming months. A draft is expected to be presented to The Woodlands Township board of directors in February. After receiving approval from H-GAC, the township will determine what projects will be awarded in the third quarter of 2017.
Construction is slated to begin over the next few years on new developments in the Falls at Imperial Oaks.[/caption]
New developments ahead for Falls at Imperial Oaks
What we reported: Following the completion of Segment G of the Grand Parkway this spring, plans for commercial and retail developments at The Falls at Imperial Oaks are coming together. Holcomb Properties President Jim Holcomb said a shopping center, multifamily development, recreation center and a YMCA will be in the works over the next few years.
The latest: A new recreation center off Lake Falls Drive and Tremont Ridge Lane in The Falls at Imperial Oaks is slated to be completed by the spring. Additionally, the extension of Imperial Promenade Drive is expected to be completed by this summer so that construction on the shopping center can begin, Holcomb said.
What’s next: Some retail highlights to expect as the shopping center takes shape include restaurants built on land next to a retention pond for a scenic dining view, Holcomb said. Construction on retail developments and the $13 million Holcomb Family YMCA could begin by 2018. Only about 100 acres of commercial real estate remain undeveloped in The Falls area along the Grand Parkway access road, Holcomb said.
The Timarron subdivision was one of many submerged areas of Montgomery County after the Memorial Day flood.[/caption]
County studying flood mitigation efforts
What we reported: After historic rainfalls saturated Southeast Texas twice last spring, Montgomery County was left with extensive water damage to infrastructure, buildings, homes and natural areas. Some of the most affected areas included the Timber Lakes/Timber Ridge subdivision just south of The Woodlands and the Spring Creek Greenway. In response, The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency planned to conduct a drainage study in pursuit of possible improvement projects.
The latest: Several months after flooding occurred in Montgomery County in April and May, the Texas Water Development Board awarded a $460,000 grant in October to help fund a countywide flood mitigation study. The request was submitted by the San Jacinto River Authority and will fund half of Phase 1, which covers the Lake Conroe watershed and upper West Fork of the San Jacinto River, including Alligator Creek.
What’s next: Work on the countywide flood mitigation study will begin no later than Jan. 25 and must be completed by June 30, 2018, according to grant requirements. Upon completion, the study will identify structural and nonstructural flood damage reduction projects along with the development of a Comprehensive Flood Protection Plan.
Houston Methodist The Woodlands is one of two new hospitals scheduled to open in the community this year.[/caption]
Medical growth comes to The Woodlands
What we reported: In December 2015, the Greater Houston Partnership’s annual employment forecast predicted about 9,000 health care jobs would be added during 2016. According to a report from The University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, despite the loss of 25,000 oil production and service jobs and more than 29,000 manufacturing jobs between December 2014 and July 2016 in the region, the health care industry appeared to be filling the unemployment gap.
The latest: By August, 7,200 jobs had been created in the Greater Houston area in 2016, showing the job forecast was on track.
What’s next: Houston Methodist will open its eighth hospital in its system in The Woodlands in 2017. Texas Children’s Hospital will also open a new inpatient care and emergency center in The Woodlands in April. Additionally, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital is in middle of an expansion and renovation of an emergency room that is set to finish in early 2017.
Conroe ISD’s newest elementary school is on track to open for the 2017-18 school year.[/caption]
CISD considers earlier start date for next school year
What we reported: The state requires students cannot start school before the fourth Monday in August. However, during November’s board meeting, Conroe ISD board members discussed starting the 2017-18 school year earlier.
The latest: During December’s board meeting, CISD’s board of trustees unanimously approved a District of Innovation plan. The adopted plan only included shifting the control of the calendar into the district’s hands, which opens up discussion on an earlier start date. To date, the only suggested alternate start date is Wednesday, Aug. 16.
What’s next: Drafts of proposed calendars can be found on the district’s website, www.conroeisd.net. These calendar proposals will be online through January and will be open to public feedback. An appointed committee will prepare a calendar to recommend to the board. The board will be asked to approve the 2017-18 calendar during the Feb. 21 board meeting. Bradley Elementary School, which is slated to open in time for the 2017-18 school year, may see an earlier start date.
