Joe Sherwin, public works director for Oak Ridge North, said the city is working with residents to clarify what land will be needed for right of way acquisitions on Robinson Road at Hanna Road and how construction will impact their properties.

Sherwin said at the Feb. 11 regular city council meeting that another round of meetings with residents will take place this week. A realignment project on Robinson Road is planned to address congestion.

“There’s a lot of different right of way acquisitions that are taking place, and each property is going to have a different amount of right of way, and a different conundrum associated with each project,” he said. “A lot of it has to do with making sure that they understand what it’s going to be for, and what portion of the right of way is going to be improved.”

The presence of trees, mailboxes, fencing and gates as well as questions of driveway and parking space are the main resident concerns, he said.

“We’re not opposed to giving them a fair deal on it, but also the city’s not going to help them redevelop their lot with our money," Sherwin said.

Other ongoing projects discussed at the Feb. 11 meeting include a Texas Water Development Board grant project to increase the capacity of the city’s main sewer and a Texas Department of Transportation water line extension from Robinson Road and Paula Lane. Sherwin said planning for both projects is around 30 percent complete and should reach 90 percent completion by the end of February.

Sherwin also noted that the city is moving forward an overhaul of the Marilyn Edgar Park pool deck. Sherwin said he will review the site with Texas Aquatics & Pool Services of Humble, the chosen contractor for the job, and bring a completed contract before the council at their next meeting so that the replacement can begin. The city plans to tear out the old pool decking in the meantime so the project can be finished by mid-March, ahead of the pool’s opening in April.