Manvel City Council held a public hearing at its April 6 meeting to gather resident input and inform the approval process for its updated comprehensive and major thoroughfare plans.
The new comprehensive plan serves as an update to the city’s 2015 plan and incorporates revisions to the thoroughfare plan, last adopted in 2021, according to city documents.
The background
The comprehensive plan drafts are part of a broader long-term vision known as Manvel 2045, which was officially adopted by the city in February 2025.
City officials first introduced drafts of both the comprehensive plan and the updated thoroughfare plan during the Oct. 6 meeting, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The planning effort followed a three-phase process, culminating in a public hearing before the Planning, Development and Zoning Commission on March 23. The commission voted unanimously, 6-0, to recommend adoption of the plans, according to city documents.
What’s new
The updated comprehensive plan is organized around six focus areas:
- Environment
- Transportation
- Growth capacity
- Economic development
- Recreation and amenities
- Land use and community character
A major component of the update is a
new future land use map, designed as a guidance tool rather than a regulatory zoning map.
According to city documents, the plan emphasizes rural preservation, including:
- Designated estate residential areas to maintain Manvel’s semi-rural character
- Higher-intensity development concentrated along the Hwy. 288 and Hwy. 6 corridors
- Commercial development primarily directed toward major roadways
- Industrial development focused in the southeast city limits
What they’re sayingResident Heidi Zeamer, who has lived in Manvel for 25 years, said a proposed right of way along Markham Road would impact her property. She supported reducing the planned roadway.
“It’s not just lines on a map,” Zeamer said at the meeting. “I’d rather it wasn’t there, but I’m also realistic."
Resident Mike White voiced concerns about increased traffic and noise, particularly regarding a proposed connection between Delbello Boulevard and Hwy. 288.
“I feel that would turn a once peaceful road into a direct highway access to 288,” White said. “The size of these roads matters.”
Following discussion, the council approved several changes to the plan, including:
- Removing a segment of Markham Road between Hwy. 6 and CR 95C
- Renaming the portion of Markham south of Hwy. 6 to King Road
- Maintaining the current alignment of Delbello Road along property lines, rather than routing it through existing properties
City officials emphasized that the comprehensive plan, including the thoroughfare plan, is intended to remain flexible.
“This is a baseline–things will ebb and flow and adjust over time,” Mayor Dan Davis said at the meeting.
What’s next
While the plans will guide future decisions and feed into the city’s annual budget, any future actions, such as projects, ordinances or contracts, will still require City Council approval, officials noted at the meeting.
Final consideration of the comprehensive plan is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 20 at Manvel City Hall, located at 20031 Hwy. 6, Manvel.
