Fee waivers for repairs due to catastrophic events were approved by The Woodlands Township board of directors July 16, solidifying a plan that officials said will bring some relief to those dealing with a natural disaster or similar event affecting their property.
During the public comment section, Arthur Bredehoft, who chairs the township's Development Standards Committee, said the waiver will help affected individuals with the recovery process.
"It speaks at the heart of The Woodlands when there are catastrophic events, to really recognize that and provide some level of relief for the folks that are involved in this," Bredehoft said. "Anyone who has gone through a catastrophe, everyone understands the anxiety and all the details it takes to recover and get ... your house or garage back in order and have some semblance of your life restored."The board unanimously passed the amendment to the resolution regarding covenant fees.
The backstory
The board previously approved updates to the Covenant Administration Department, or CAD, fees, effective July 1. Most of the fee changes in those updates related to enhanced services rather than routine maintenance. The updates impact mainly commercial improvements as well as several minor adjustments to residential fees. The waiver policy was suggested to help protect owners of residential and commercial property who experience damage or destruction to permitted improvements during natural disasters, according to previous township discussion.
The policy will not apply to new construction or improvements.
In other business
The board also approved a change relating to its policy on memorials, artwork and commemorative donations on township-owned property.
The changes establish a term of not more than 10 years for an item of public art, memorial or commemorative donation, beginning with its written acceptance of the work's completion, according to agenda materials. It also establishes a limit of five total public art pieces or similar installations at a time in Town Center, including Hughes Landing, as well as one piece per village.
