The Greater Houston Builders Association is urging residents and industry professionals to oppose a proposed city-wide building moratorium in Conroe. The City Council will vote Friday on whether to halt all new development, a move builders say would have sweeping economic consequences.
Conroe is facing a pivotal moment as the City Council gears up to cast a vote on a comprehensive building moratorium that has the potential to halt all new development throughout the city.
On May 8, council members cast a 3-2 vote to initiate the process of implementing a moratorium, aimed at broadening an existing development freeze that impacts the northern section of Conroe.
The concluding vote is scheduled for Friday, May 30, at 4:30 PM.
The Greater Houston Builders Association has called on community members via social media to participate in an upcoming meeting and voice their opinions, cautioning that the proposed measure could have a detrimental impact on the local construction industry.
“This would effectively halt all new single-family development,” stated Cody Miller, the director of governmental affairs for the association. “The discussion centers on significant economic repercussions, with jobs, housing, and municipal revenue all at stake.”
The central focus of the matter lies in Conroe's water infrastructure. City officials are raising alarms about an escalating water crisis, but critics contend that the severity of the situation is being overstated.
Travis Walker, an engineer from Bleyl Engineering, has provided a unique perspective as the sole independent engineer to offer a signed opinion on the matter. He asserts that the issue at hand stems from outdated state formulas rather than a failure within the system itself. Miller stated, “The city’s water system is not broken.”
Officials have confirmed that there is currently no boil water notice in effect. There is currently no indication of low pressure in the area. The state is currently reviewing a technical ACR formula.
Builders are raising concerns that if Conroe moves forward with the moratorium before receiving a response from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the outcome may have unintended negative consequences.
“This discussion centers on the vision Conroe has for its future,” Miller stated. “A stance that embraces responsible growth, or one that closes off opportunities out of fear.”
Residents are urged to participate in the upcoming council meeting on Friday to express their concerns. Attendees were advised to arrive early if they wished to address the gathering.
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