Wilson
07-10-2007, 03:46 PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/4956785.htmlJuly 10, 2007, 1:49PM
Conroe ponders new land plan
Proposal would add undeveloped land on FM 1488 to city limits
By BETH KUHLES
Chronicle Correspondent
Conroe will decide in July if it will annex three tracts of mostly undeveloped land near FM 1488 and Interstate 45, which includes Jones State Forest.
The Conroe City Council held two public hearings this week on a proposal to add 2,268 acres into the city limits. The largely undeveloped parcels straddle FM 1488 and include Jones State Forest and property along Schoettle Road, Koenig Road and Peoples Road. The tracts are adjacent to The Woodlands on the west and south and Jacob's Ranch on the north.
Surcy Peoples Jr., the largest property owner in the area, said city taxes will probably drive him off his land, an 80-acre tract purchased by his father in 1935.
Another resident, who lives along the targeted area on FM 1488, wanted assurances that she could continue to provide her own water, sewer and propane service on her property.
"They raise your taxes until you have to leave," Peoples said. "I don't appreciate that they are doing this."
An adjacent tract, which included Pine Acres Road, was eliminated earlier from the annexation proposal.
Planning for growth
Conroe Mayor Tommy Metcalf said the city is interested in adding commercial property and new residences to the city and sees the area as ripe for development.
"You know the city generates funds through commercial development and rooftops," Metcalf said.
If approved, property owners in the area would be subject to a city tax of 43 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is $430 for every $100,000 in property value. There is a 30-acre commercial tract that also has been sold in the area proposed for annexation.
Mayor Pro Tem Webb Melder said the city's growth is not likely to stop with these tracts. The City Council also is investigating annexing more property on FM 1488 to the Magnolia city limits and property on the east side of Lake Conroe.
Conroe City Attorney Marcus Winberry outlined the city services that would be provided in the area, including police and fire service, garbage pickup for residents and road maintenance. While the city has an existing water and sewer line that ends at Peoples Road, current residences will not be hooked up to city services. Instead, any future extension of those utilities would be subject to an agreement with a developer.
Despite repeated questions from Peoples about future plans for the tracts, Metcalf and council members avoided discussion of its short- and long-term plans for possible development there. Instead, Metcalf and Melder espoused the outstanding services new residents would receive. All of the tracts, with the exception of Jones State Forest, are private property.
Because there are fewer than 100 residences on the tracts to be annexed, the city is permitted by state law to annex the properties right away. When more than 100 homes are impacted, state law requires a three-year planning process before land can be annexed by the city.
The two other areas that Conroe has proposed annexing — the FM 1488 corridor and east Lake Conroe — would likely require a three-year planning process.
Conroe ponders new land plan
Proposal would add undeveloped land on FM 1488 to city limits
By BETH KUHLES
Chronicle Correspondent
Conroe will decide in July if it will annex three tracts of mostly undeveloped land near FM 1488 and Interstate 45, which includes Jones State Forest.
The Conroe City Council held two public hearings this week on a proposal to add 2,268 acres into the city limits. The largely undeveloped parcels straddle FM 1488 and include Jones State Forest and property along Schoettle Road, Koenig Road and Peoples Road. The tracts are adjacent to The Woodlands on the west and south and Jacob's Ranch on the north.
Surcy Peoples Jr., the largest property owner in the area, said city taxes will probably drive him off his land, an 80-acre tract purchased by his father in 1935.
Another resident, who lives along the targeted area on FM 1488, wanted assurances that she could continue to provide her own water, sewer and propane service on her property.
"They raise your taxes until you have to leave," Peoples said. "I don't appreciate that they are doing this."
An adjacent tract, which included Pine Acres Road, was eliminated earlier from the annexation proposal.
Planning for growth
Conroe Mayor Tommy Metcalf said the city is interested in adding commercial property and new residences to the city and sees the area as ripe for development.
"You know the city generates funds through commercial development and rooftops," Metcalf said.
If approved, property owners in the area would be subject to a city tax of 43 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is $430 for every $100,000 in property value. There is a 30-acre commercial tract that also has been sold in the area proposed for annexation.
Mayor Pro Tem Webb Melder said the city's growth is not likely to stop with these tracts. The City Council also is investigating annexing more property on FM 1488 to the Magnolia city limits and property on the east side of Lake Conroe.
Conroe City Attorney Marcus Winberry outlined the city services that would be provided in the area, including police and fire service, garbage pickup for residents and road maintenance. While the city has an existing water and sewer line that ends at Peoples Road, current residences will not be hooked up to city services. Instead, any future extension of those utilities would be subject to an agreement with a developer.
Despite repeated questions from Peoples about future plans for the tracts, Metcalf and council members avoided discussion of its short- and long-term plans for possible development there. Instead, Metcalf and Melder espoused the outstanding services new residents would receive. All of the tracts, with the exception of Jones State Forest, are private property.
Because there are fewer than 100 residences on the tracts to be annexed, the city is permitted by state law to annex the properties right away. When more than 100 homes are impacted, state law requires a three-year planning process before land can be annexed by the city.
The two other areas that Conroe has proposed annexing — the FM 1488 corridor and east Lake Conroe — would likely require a three-year planning process.