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CITY OF HOUSTON Sylvester Turner
Planning and Development Mayor
Margaret Wallace Brown Director P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562
T. 832.393.6600 F. 832.393.6661
www.houstontx.gov
July 24, 2020
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND RECOMMENDATION MEETING
Proposed Amendments to the 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP)
The City of Houston Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and recommendation meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. You can download the Microsoft Teams program application for free at https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft- teams/download-app Please note that your computer requires speakers and a microphone in order to use Microsoft Teams. A free smartphone version of this app is also available from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. To join the MTFP Public Hearing and Recommendation Meeting, please see the information below.
Online Meeting Link: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Call-In Option: +1 936-755-1521 Conference ID: 285 411 221#
PD Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonPlanning/
The purpose of the Public Hearing is to allow interested citizens to be heard concerning proposed changes to the 2019 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP). The MTFP identifies right-of-way needs and proposes roadway alignments within the city limits of Houston and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The MTFP does not initiate the timing of right-of-way acquisition or construction activities related to the roadways.
Each year, the City of Houston hosts an Open House Meeting to allow the Public to make comments regarding the various amendments. However, this year due to COVID-19 concerns, the Open House was cancelled. Therefore, we will post information regarding the amendments online before the Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation Meeting. This will provide an opportunity for the Public to make comments at the Public Hearing virtually, via Microsoft Teams, utilizing the Chat Box option. You may also make comments via telephone at 832-393-6660, or by emailing [email protected] Additionally, there is an online comment form available through our website at https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/20_MTFPRequests.html
Council Members: Amy Peck Jerry Davis Abbie Kamin Carolyn Evans-Shabazz Dave Martin Tiffany Thomas Greg Travis Karla Cisneros Robert Gallegos Edward Pollard Martha Castex-Tatum Mike Knox David W. Robinson Michael Kubosh Letitia Plummer Sallie Alcorn
Controller: Chris B. Brown
NEW CANEY HOUSING II LTD C/O WASHBURN GROUP PO BOX 489 NEW CANEY, TX 77357
A0308 - Lynch Wm
This notification package - which includes this letter, information about the specific amendment which may be of interest to the respective property owner, and some frequently asked questions - has been mailed to property owners and registered civic associations adjacent to roadways included in the amendment request.
Please note that in addition to making virtual comments at the Public Hearing, comments by phone, or via email, written comments may be submitted using the online comment form until the comment deadline; 5:00pm on Tuesday, August 18th. All comments, whether provided virtually, by phone, email or via our website will be considered by the Planning Commission before a final decision is made on the amendment request. Additionally, the Commission will weigh information provided by the Planning and Development Department (P&D) and other government transportation agencies in the Houston region.
On Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 2:30 pm, directly following the Public Hearing Meeting, staff will present their recommendations to the Planning Commission, as the Planning Commission Public Hearing and the Planning Commission Recommendation Meeting will be held concurrently. The Planning Commission will vote on the amendment alternatives as proposed by the City of Houston and forward their recommendations to City Council by September 30, 2020. Once an ordinance for the amendments has been adopted by City Council, a new MTFP will be published by the City. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. You can download the Microsoft Teams program application for free at https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app Please note that your computer requires speakers and a microphone in order to use Microsoft Teams. A free smartphone version of this app is also available from the Apple Store of Google Play Store. To join the MTFP Public Hearing and Recommendation Meeting, see information below.
Online Meeting Link: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Call-In Option: +1 936-755-1521 Conference ID: 285 411 221#
PD Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonPlanning/
More information about the MTFP and proposed amendments are available on the Planning Commission Webpage at www.houstonplanning.com The information, as well as the online comment form, can be found on the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan website at http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/20_MTFPRequests.html Additionally, you may contact the Planning & Development Department at 832-393-6660 or via email at [email protected] or email the Transportation Division Manager at [email protected].
2020 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) Amendments
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What is a Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) Amendment?
A The City of Houston’s MTFP was first adopted by City Council in 1942. It is a long-range plan that provides for a
system of thoroughfares and collectors to support overall mobility. It does not deal with timing of right-of-way acquisition or road construction. The Plan is updated through an annual amendment process. Amendments generally delete, add or modify a portion of a planned Thoroughfare or Collector. The Plan will continue to be modified in order to meet Houston’s growing transportation needs.
Q What is an alternative?
A When the City receives an application to amend the MTFP, staff evaluates the proposed request and studies the
adjoining area’s major roadway network. The Planning Department (P&D) may identify and evaluate other options in the area, other than the one submitted by the applicant. Such options will be presented as alternatives at the Open House so that all interested parties are aware of options being considered by P&D and Planning Commission. This year due to COVID-19, the Open House was cancelled. Therefore, the City of Houston will post the amendment requests on-line before the Public Hearing and Recommendation Meeting to allow time for comment, Monday, July 27, 2020, thru 5:00pm Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
Q I received a letter from the City. Why? What does this have to do with me?
A If you have received a notice in the mail from the City, it means that our records show you own property that may be
located close to or that may be impacted by a proposed amendment to the MTFP. Please read the enclosed report to learn more about the proposed amendment that may impact you and your property.
Q My property is located in the County, not within the City limits. Why is the City dealing with issues in the
County?
A The MTFP covers not just the major road network within the City limits, but also within the City’s Extra Territorial
Jurisdiction (ETJ). This allows transportation needs to be addressed on a regional basis.
Q I am concerned about a proposed amendment. What can I do?
A First, you can find out more about the amendment request in the following ways:
Read the report that was included in the mail out; see other helpful links on our website (see below)
Go online to review the application
www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/20_MTFPRequests.html
Contact the Planning Department staff and/or the applicant Then, if you would like to make your concerns known to the City you can:
Write an email, letter or fax to the City expressing your concerns Virtually join the MTFP Planning and Recommendation Microsoft Office Virtual TEAMs meeting for the public hearing and the recommendation meeting and virtually speak to the Planning Commission regarding your concerns. Thurs. August 20, at 2:30 p.m.
Virtually join the meeting via Microsoft TEAMs – instructions listed above
Call in via conference call to Microsoft TEAMs – instruction listed above
Q What is going to happen at the public hearing and recommendation meeting on August 20th?
A The Planning Commission holds a public hearing to provide an opportunity for concerned citizens to make their views
known publicly. Comments submitted by 5:00pm, Tuesday, August 18, 2020, using the online comment form on the website (refer to instructions above to locate the link on the website), will also be considered by the Planning Commission in making a decision on amendment requests. Additionally, the Commission will weigh information provided by the P&D staff and other government agencies concerned about transportation in our region.
Q Who decides what to do?
A On Thursday, August 20th, at 2:30 p.m., the Public Hearing Meeting and the Recommendation Meeting will be combined into one meeting. The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Office TEAMs (please see information on how to
join the meeting virtually - listed above). P&D will present its recommendations to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will vote on each amendment and forward its recommendations to City Council by September 30, 2020. Once an ordinance for the amendments has been adopted by City Council, a new MTFP will be published by the City and made available as a reference to other agencies and the public throughout the year.
2020 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan CITY OF HOUSTON
Amendment Request PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PRELIMINARY REPORT
E: Russell Drive
APPLICANT: LJA Engineering
PRECINCT: Montgomery County Pct. 4 JURISDICTION: City of Houston ETJ COUNCIL DISTRICT: None
PROPOSAL: LJA Engineering – on behalf of Hendricks Interests LLC – is requesting the deletion of Major Thoroughfare Russell Drive from the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan. APPLICANT’S JUSTIFICATION and HISTORY:
Russell Drive is currently a residential street with a 50’ ROW within the Post Oak Estates subdivision. It is not continuous to Interstate 69 and terminates to its east at Clyde Drive, roughly 1500’ feet from the frontage road. It is proposed as a Major Thoroughfare with a 100’ ROW from the southbound frontage road to a point roughly 6300’ to the west. The proposed thoroughfare aligns with, but is not continuous with FM 1485 on the east side of IH-69, largely because there is no east-west crossing of the freeway at this location.
The applicant is concerned about how the proposed thoroughfare encroaches into a commercial tract adjacent IH-69 frontage road. As the applicant believes Russell Drive is unlikely to be built as designated, they believe the owner of the commercial property should not be required to dedicate ROW. The applicant lists the following reasons why Russell Drive is unlikely to be expanded and extended:
Existing Russel Drive would need to be increased from a 50' ROW to a 100' ROW. At a minimum the City would
have to condemn 25' from each of the 100+ home owners living along Russell Drives.
West of the existing residential Development there are miles of undeveloped White Oak Creek flood plain to the
west.
PRELIMINARY REPORT City of Houston Proposed Alternative: STRICKLAND
